Italy/problems with lack of law enforcement, policing

I usually pay very little attention to "stories" that come from "a friend of a friend..."

Just pretend, Kathy, it's Saturday night and you're in downtown LA, Chicago, or New York City, and you'll be fine. Wear a money belt, if you have a purse or day bag, place it over your head (not just a shoulder), trust your instincts about people and streets, and do your thing. YOU WILL BE FINE...and have the time of your life, too.

Two things you must do: Prepare by 1) reseaching the tourist scams (on this site and other travel sites) 2) use the search engine and read old threads about money belts and pickpockets and you'll be prepared and then you will have nothing to worry about.

This research will let you know exactly what to prepare for and what to expect instead of giving you this vague, unquantified sense of anxiety that is in your email.

O.K. It's true that the police do not have any ability to help you when your purse is pick-pocketed on a bus or train. That's why you need to take responsibility for yourself, read, prepare, and use your money belt properly. Do that, you'll be fine.

Now finally, I'll do more than assuage. You should not have acute fears. Italy is safe. You will not need to worry about people running around with AK-47s and shooting police officers, pastors, nursing home residents, and immigrants in public office buildings as we've been hearing about in the US news every night. Just putting into perspective for you. There is less violent crime in Italy.

You will have a wonderful trip Kathy.

Kathy,

If you are worried about getting mugged, I agree that it's hard to do something for everybody. But it's not just on Italy. I don't believe that the police would do much about it in the US either.
Italy is not dangerous. Just use common sense. Violent crime is less likely to happen in Italy or majority of the European countries.

I would feel safer in almost any city in Italy late at night than in most major American cities late at night.

Michael - I totally agree with you.

"I would feel safer in almost any city in Italy late at night than in most major American cities late at night."
or even many smaller American cities... I was wandering around Rome's historical center at like 10pm every night when I was there, I cannot imagine doing that in any part of LA, even the "safest" parts

kathy,

That's a very strange thing for a Professor at a University in Rome to say. I'd want some further details as I haven't found things to be "very dangerous" in Italy, and that includes Naples.

I disagree with the statement that "there is no police to help and no crime deterrents", as that hasn't been my experience. In fact there seems to be a very noticeable Police presence in most places, including the ubiquitous Carabinieri, Polizia di Stato, Guardi di Finanza, Transit Police (in the stations, not sure of their official designation) and the Polizia Municipale. While I've never had to utilize their services, I'm assuming they would be able to "help" if required. I watched the Transit Police forcibly eject a group of Gypsies (at least that's what their appearance suggested they were) off the Metro in Rome one afternoon, and they weren't too polite about it!

As some of the others have stated, I've also wandered around Italian cities (including Rome) at night and never had a problem. However, there are certain parts of most cities that are best not visited at night (such as the Spanish Quarter in Naples). There are usually lots of other people wandering around the cities as well, and none of them appeared to be too concerned.

Even with a good Police presence, it's still a good idea to practise the "safe security tips" described in Rick's Guidebooks, the most important being to wear a Money Belt!!!

Happy travels!

I would be cautious, but not concerned. I often hear locals in Europe, and in the US, talk about how things have gotten out of hand, that the Police are crooks, that in the "good old days" it was safe and everybody was law-abiding. All the while, I rarely, if ever, notice anything in the slightest amiss; except that if I went back to the "good old days" I would probably be likely to hear the locals saying the same things.

Just to add that along with the Polizia di Stato, the Carabinieri, and the Municipal Police, the are now soliders standing on many corners in Rome. Police cars are everywhere, something I noted when I was in Rome over the weekend. Italy is a very safe country, and as many posters have stated you can feel very safe walking in places very late at night. If your friend of a friend was talking about the problem of organized crime, or how long it takes court cases to come to trial in Italy, well, that's another issue. But be sure that for a tourist or a citizen in Rome or other parts of Italy this is a safe place.

The "someone" who said that someone else said "things in Italy are very dangerous" is probably the same sour "someone" who says that all Parisians are rude, food in the UK is awful, Venice smells and thieves & pickpockets all over Europe await your visit with glee. Usually this "someone" has never been to Europe, if anywhere, and the comments are based on jealousy, not knowledge. As always, consider the source !

I have a feeling something got misunderstood as this message was passed around. (Like playing telephone as a kid) I don't think Italy is dangerous at all. However, in recent years, people have been frustrated with the amount of petty crime (pick pockets, scams, etc.) and police reaction to it. If you have your purse stolen,you want the police to some how find it and take it seriously. In defense of the police, you are asking them to do almost an impossible job, and if they do find the thief, will you be around to testify if they prosecute them. We saw several people who had had purses or wallets stolen talking to police and the police -who couldn't do much-staring at them blankly. In my opinion this does not make Italy dangerous, but it does make it a great place to be prepared and carry a money belt, etc. I don't think we have ever had anybody come on this site and report an they were a victim of an act of violence...but we have had people who were victims of petty theft.

The tremendous irony here, of course, is that the US, when it comes to dangerous violent crime, is just about the most-feared place in the world, excepting nations engaged in Civil War or with unstable governments. And we're the ones who are worried about foreign travel (not judging, I do it, too).

This reminds me of another post on another travel site from an European (supposedly) who had heard from friends who had visit the US previously that everyone carried hand guns and for his protection it would be important for him to acquire a hand gun as soon as he arrived. No way to tell if it was an honest question or a troll. I hope it was a troll. Otherwise it is a sad reflection on ourselves.

One more bit of advice: RS travel books he will warn you which areas of town are seedy or are best avoided at night. This should be part of your travel prep.

By the way the money belt that Rick has in the video posted by Michael is excellent. Very lightweight, unlike others. Made of nylon, it's almost invisible under your belt. It worked for me on our last 3 week trip, and I wore it everyday. He has it for sale on this website. Worth it.

Thank you all for your generous replies. We have the RS money belt and I will carry my purse containing little but comb, water and chapstick. I also have sox with little zippered pockets. I will be safe and enjoy! kathy

We spent an entire month in Italy and had no problem whatsoever. Happy to report that we never had one untoward experience nor did we ever witness one. Common sense is international. Tucson or Tuscany..it's all the same. You'll be fine. Have fun!