The Police Presence in Italy
By: Laura D’Alessandris
In America, we see multiple patrol cars around the city and suburban areas; and due to recent events, more in places like schools and malls. However, compared to Italy, our police presence in the United States seems weak and not as helpful. Although there are a number of undercover officers who work in larger cities, those are not officers who are technically on patrol. While undercover, it is most likely because of a certain case that they may be working. This leaves little help to the public because they are not focusing on the public.
Arriving in the airport in Rome, there were already dozens of military men and women carrying heavy assault rifles. Although most people see this as scary and possibly dangerous, a lot, including me, see this as secure and as a great safety precaution. With the events that have gone on around the world in the last three or four years, having a strong military presence may be what is helping Italy stay safe. These troops are part of the Italian army and are set to patrol due to a NATO agreement. Italy is one of the most prized countries in the NATO agreement because concentrate so much on the safety. In an interview, Stefano Stefanini, and Italian former ambassador to NATO said, “Yes, you can measure defense spending, but it can’t be the only metric…In providing security, deployability and operations matter more than budgets. With this in mind, the troops were sent out to help patrol streets starting in the early 1950s. This has only gotten stronger due to multiple terrorist attacks in Europe.
All throughout Rome, there were military men also holding assault rifles and simpler handguns such as Glocks and Smith and Wessons. Even sitting at small stoops and little fountains around the city, there were large military Hummers and other vehicles that sat four. Most of the time, the female was driving while the men sat as passengers. However, while in one stationary spot, they often had a tent set up above them to protect them from the sun or any rain that maybe appear throughout the day. When they did not have a small place to cover themselves, three of the men or women would sit in the vehicle while the other one was outside patrolling with a weapon. This obviously changed throughout the day, giving each one a chance to patrol and look out for those in the city.
While one may think that this is only happening in Rome because it is the city filled with the most tourists, you would be wrong. These set-ups were all throughout Northern Italy, including Assisi, Florence, Venice, and Milan. Although they may have been less obvious or not on as many corners, they were still in every square or near every large food and gift shop in every city. It became obvious that the country takes its security very seriously.
While leaving the country, Milan’s airport had the most militia presence that I had seen throughout the whole trip. Personally, I think that is one of the smartest ideas they may have as a strong military point because Milan’s airport is absolutely huge. While that is an obvious reason, another reason, and probably the most prominent, is because Milan is the central point for Italy’s stock market and major businesses and industries. This gives a strong argument why there should be a strong and heavy police presence in such important areas and cities. After visiting these cities and seeing how secure the country tries to keep itself, I cannot help but think of what a difference that may make here in America.
Of course, we may never know unless we obtain the same number of troops and security. However, the thought of it may comfort some people because when thinking of the security in the Pittsburgh International Airport, most people think of the Transportation Security Administration who are sometimes not as identifiable because they are only dressed in polos and dress pants. In my opinion, I think having troops there in full uniform will make them look more referable and will provide a heavier amount of safety. Because Italy and the United States are two different countries with two different strategies, the United States is very obviously part of NATO, and someday, officials may rethink the strategy of militia presence.