Crime emergency, the Army arrives in Reggio Emilia

The wait is over. After weeks of alarm and concern from citizens about the increase in criminal phenomena in the city, official confirmation has arrived: From Wednesday 16th April the Army will be operational in Reggio Emilia. L’annuncio è stato dato nel pomeriggio dal Prefetto Maria Rita Cocciufa, at the end of the Provincial Committee for Public Order and Safety, which took place in the presence of the main civil and military authorities of the territory.

“Il dispositivo, che prevede un’attenta vigilanza con presidi fissi e modalità dinamiche, sarà operativo da mercoledì 16 aprile”, we read in the note issued by the Prefecture which informs of the activation of theGovernment's 'Safe Roads' operation, already approved just under a month ago by the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, for the historic station and other sensitive areas, with a high crime rate.

Twelve soldiers to guard the city

The contingent destined for Reggio Emilia will be composed of 12 Army units, who will operate in close coordination with the Law Enforcement Agencies already present in the territory. The security device will include fixed facilities in strategic points, but also activities dynamic and mobile to ensure timely and widespread control.

During today's summit, the operational and logistical details of the military deployment were defined. In addition to the Prefect, the meeting was attended by Mayor Marco Massari, representatives of the Province, the Police Commissioner Giuseppe Maggese, the Colonel Orlando Hiromi Narducci (provincial commander of the Carabinieri), the Commander of the Guardia di Finanza Philip Ivan Bixio, and the top management of the Emilia-Romagna–Tuscany–Umbria–Marche Group, responsible for coordinating the services related to the operation.

The Army's action will therefore be flanked and integrated with that of the Police, Carabinieri, Guardia di Finanza and Local Police, in a model of inter-force collaboration which aims to respond effectively to the current criminal emergency.

Security also strengthened with the extension of the "red zone"

In parallel with the arrival of the military, the Prefect announced that he will adopt a provision to extend the so-called "red zone", already active for weeks. The extension will be valid until June 30th, and will keep the borders of the areas subject to restrictions and extraordinary controls unchanged.

This is a further measure to stem episodes of violence, drug dealing, theft and damage that have intensified in recent months. In particular, in recent days numerous thefts involving break-ins on parked cars, a phenomenon that has sparked great indignation among residents and increasingly pressing requests for intervention by the institutions.

Strengthened surveillance by the Police and Municipality

Not only the Army. The Prefect has also ordered specific surveillance services in the most affected areas, using additional units of the Law Enforcement and Local Police, who will support the military in the action of controlling the territory. The objective is twofold: on the one hand to guarantee a constant and dissuasive presence in the places most at risk, on the other to offer an immediate and coordinated response in case of crimes or emergency situations.

The institutions' comment

«The intervention of the Army represents a significant strengthening of the urban security system – declared Prefect Cocciufa – and will be implemented with great care, taking into account the needs of the community and the protection of citizens' rights".

The mayor Mark Massari, for his part, expressed satisfaction with the decision: "I thank the Government and the Ministry of the Interior for having accepted our requests. The arrival of the military is a concrete response to the need for security expressed by citizens and local economic activities. Now we need collaboration from everyone to ensure that this intervention brings the desired results".

Law enforcement officials also stressed the importance of coordination: "We will work side by side with the military, as has already happened in other Italian contexts, to ensure an immediate and lasting impact on crime."

Citizens' reactions and expectations

The news of the Army's arrival was welcomed with great favor by the citizens. Many residents and merchants have expressed satisfaction for the decision, considering it a concrete sign of attention from the State towards a situation that has now become unsustainable.

C’è un diffuso optimism sull’efficacia del presidio militare, e numerosi cittadini si augurano che questa misura possa re-establish a climate of serenity in the most affected areas. The visible presence of men in uniform is usually perceived as an immediate deterrent and as a guaranteeing greater safety for all.

Conclusions

Starting from Wednesday, April 16, Reggio Emilia will enter a new phase in the management of public order. With the support of the Army, the Police Forces and the Local Police, the authorities hope to re-establish a climate of legality and security, resolutely contrasting the criminal phenomena that are putting civil coexistence in the city to the test.