Florence train station assault

Never heard of any kind of violent report anywhere in Italy! Pickpockets, yes, but I read the trip report and was shocked that nothing was done to the "regulars" at the train station. I never sleep near train stations because from what I've seen and just felt, it seems the "lowlifes" hang around train stations, so I get in, and get OUT.

This is the first time I've heard of an incident like this, and hopefully this type of thing won't occur often. I've stayed in or passed through Florence and SMN station many times (including last year, even at midnight) without any problems. The fact that the victim was an elderly woman may have been a factor in why the "regulars" were more aggressive in this case, something they may not do with all travellers.

As with thefts that are reported by tourists, the Police may have been reluctant to do much as the victim wasn't willing to interrupt her trip to lay charges and go through the court process (something the perpetrators were no doubt aware of).

I don't know what report you're talking about. When you say "attacked" do you mean that she was assaulted and beat up or that she was pickpocketed? Being pick pocketed is very different from being attacked. Please clarify.

donna

Donna - it's posted under 'trip reports' section...

The worst scum in Florence (aggressive panhandlers, drug addicts, aggressive homeless, pickpockets and thieves posing as taxi drivers or hotel solicitors) can be found in or near the SMN station, especially at night. You have to be very careful and avoid the station (not only in Florence, but in any major city) except for what is strictly necessary for your travels. Not exactly sure why the Railway Police is not acting more decisively to curb this phenomenon. In my young days working there (often on the night shift) it wasn't that bad, only the occasional regular mentally ill homeless person. I still remember some of those regular crazies appearing every late night. One crazy woman used to come with a broom every night and sweep all platforms, occasionally chasing people and banging her broom on their backs, sometimes even us, in spite of wearing our uniforms.

One day, some of these people will come across a karate master. A lot of these thieves and aggressors may bank on that most Americans will not fight back for fear of being arrested and not knowing what their rights are in another country.

"One day, some of these people will come across a karate master"

In this case, a karate master getting into a physical confrontation with a woman and a guy in a wheelchair probably wouldn't be looked upon "favourably" by the authorities. I agree this is absolutely a frustrating situation for tourists, and hopefully the Police will start cracking down on the problem individuals. If life at SMN becomes "unpleasant" for them, they'll move on.

I agree. It is horrible that a handful are now or may be resorting to using handicap devices to threaten, extort and intimidate for money. Was he really handicapped? No one knows.

"One day, some of these people will come across a karate master"

Interesting. I happen to be a black belt in TaeKwonDo and in the last few days, have been through the Tiburtina bus station and SMN in Florence. Both have a wide range of characters and I found myself being extra alert. No problems, completely harmless, thankfully. But I have to admit a few times I was watching people and mentally thinking about what to do, include self defense.

It's odd, because in the states, my overwhelming thought is always "is this person carrying?" So many concealed carry permits out there. But I believe here that is much less likely. Maybe a knife perhaps. But that's just speculation. Anyways, my very limited data is that I've felt more comfortable than in Rome and Florence than in most large US cities.

I agree about some US cities. And it is scary to think that carrying a concealed weapon is the norm (aside from law enforcement of course.) I also agree about scanning people, being aware of who and what is around.

Going back to the woman's experience, it appears that the man in the wheelchair tried to use that device as a means of intimidation and/or force to extort money. Thieves may be getting craftier.

What bothers me the most about this is that one poster called this 71 year old woman elderly…LOL

Marie, I think Wray was being humorous.

Marie, I think Wray was being humorous.

PS I think its illegal to bring pepper spray on plane, and impossible to buy in Europe.

Since Wray ended her response with 'lol' I don't think there's any doubt that she was being facetious. I also take offense at the idea of being called elderly at 71. lol

Just an anecdote about age and perceptions: last evening, on America's Got Talent, there was a 93-year old gentleman whose "talent" is pulling cars with his teeth, which he had been doing all his life. Inside the car were his 84-year-old kid brother, the brother's wife, and the talent contestant's girlfriend. BTW he made it into the next round, and he said he would then pull a truck with 20 people in the back. So, age in years and elderliness certainly may not equate.

Yes. It was an attempt at humor. Sorry. I try to keep my flat jokes to myself, but sometimes I just can't do it. :)

It was very funny, Wray.
Let me comment that we were in SMN on Saturday early morning and again around 7:30 p. m.

I looked around specifically for the two described in the report and am happy to say I saw no beggars at all, at least at those moments.

Just back from our trip and was through this station 4x with nary a hassle. Seems only strange looking Roma women sticking their hands in your face. Wondering what it would be like at night though.

I get it! Your husband figured that if this guy concluded you were SWISS, he would leave you alone and go after some real gringo!

"The plan was for guy to move along. He did."

And if he hadn't? What was the plan then? Sounds like a dangerous proposition to me.

I don't get the joke.

Every baby boomer knows 70 is the new 40.
40 is not elderly.

40 is almost-middle-aged.
And this from a bunch of people that are soooooo politically-correct about everything else....you'd better watch out or you will be accused of being Ageist and publically humiliated for using the the "E" word!!!!

(wink) wink)...... but I was offended.....

What's the PC term for a 71 year old these days? Middle-aged? I must have missed the reports that everyone is living to 142 these days. Time to go increase my 401k contributions...

I hadn't read about it and we go to Florence frequently but I would warn anyone at any train station (or bus station) in Europe (and the USA) to take extra caution. I have found that in Europe, even someone who is a child, an older adult who seems to be on a walking cane or even in a wheelchair, or who is dressed as a priest or nun or even seems to be a fellow tourist might well be working as pickpockets and thieves. They might even appear to be business people or professionals. If anyone approaches you, get away from them. Be aware of everything going on around you and don't talk to anyone. I am terribly sorry if this lady was attacked. There is no excuse for that sort of behavior.

I posted only a few times on this forum, and I don't want to be rude. I also think that the situation in Florence (and Rome) is almost out of control.
Nevertheless I have to say that while reading Terry Lynn's "rules" above, I felt a little uncomfortable. Is this the usual attitude of Americans that travel in Europe?

If anyone approaches you, get away from them. Be aware of everything
going on around you and don't talk to anyone.

Do you really look at every single person as a potential hazard to your safety?

Dario, I must say I have had the same thought and it makes me wonder how some people manage to summon up the courage to ever go to Europe at all, given all the scarey tales about evil-doers.

If you read other posts from Terri Lynn you will discover that she doesn't travel the same way I would guess at least 90% of the people who use this site do. She only stays at 4-5* hotels and has said she would never stay anywhere recommended by Rick. The implication is that those places are not good enough for her. I will go out on a limb and say that people with that attitude probably don't feel as comfortable with certain situations that include people of different socioeconomic backgrounds. I am not defending or maligning her. Everyone has the choice to spend their money however they see fit. I'm just saying that she may be a little more paranoid with people of lesser means than many of the people who use this website are. Of course people have to be aware of their surroundings. If someone is going to spend their entire trip scared, they might want to think about staying home or taking another kind of trip.

@ Roberto....thanks for the tip on what one is likely to encounter in Florence (one of my to visit cities in Italy). I wonder if other nationalities display as much forbearance towards these scammers/pickpockets, etc when caught in the act as do Americans. I've heard (and who knows) that they stay away from Germans and Russians. What about all those Chinese and Korean tour groups?

If anyone approaches you, get away from them. Be aware of everything going on around you and don't talk to anyone. I am terribly sorry if this lady was attacked. There is no excuse for that sort of behavior.

While I agree that there's "no excuse for that sort of behaviour" and that travellers should be situationally aware, I definitely don't agree that one should flee from anyone approaching or not talk to others. People are certainly free to travel in whatever fashion they wish, but that seems a bit extreme. I've been approached by people in stations numerous times, and dealing with them has never been a problem.

Sorry, Elaine. You've got it wrong. As the boomers are finding to their dismay, as they reach that milestone, 70 is the new 69.

There has been a little crackdown on such behaviours a couple of weeks ago. After some bad press about aggressive beggars came out on several newspapers, the Florence mayor pressed the railway administration to find a solution and now there are manned barriers at platforms to stop people without a ticket approaching trains. Even ticket machines areas are manned now. A few persons have been banned from living in Florence, but there is little more police can do as very few people officially report these behaviours so that cases may be set up in court.

Pickpockets and safety through a rail station is frequently travel issue. You may find the following article informative regarding measures recently taken at SMN Florence. It's in Italian, so go to your favorite translator ....

http://www.fsnews.it/cms-file/...1_07_2014_CS_SMN.pdf