We will be traveling in Tuscany and Umbria and will need to park in a few towns with the luggage ( between our start and end destination). I have read a lot of warning & advises on this and TA forums so we will make sure that nothing is seen in the car. My question is where is safer to park - underground garages if available or above ground parkings?
My husband thinks underground garages is a better choice because they often have cameras so thieves will hesitate to go there. Any opinion/advice?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16133 posts
Cameras don't seem to do much in America, and in fact there are a lot of smash and grab incidents in many stores. As a friend of mine who owns a security firm told me: "a camera alone is useless and serves only as the record of a crime having been committed". Those who engage in those behaviors know of the existence of cameras and simply go in wearing a face covering, even if it's just a Covid-19 mask.
What makes a difference is whether the parking garage is guarded ("custodito" in Italian) by a live person.
I have stopped and parked my car with luggage in the trunk while en route in Italy and also in Spain. Sometimes at unguarded lots or lots guarded only by (useless) cameras. If you decide to do so, make sure your belongings are not in plain sight inside the trunk. Anything of value (like phones or ipads or computers) should come with you, and not left in the car. Alternatively you could leave stuff that is more valuable in the spare tire hold, then back the car against a wall or a plant, so that the trunk will not be easily accessible (still I wouldn't risk it with a computer or other expensive device).
The best solution is of course to find a PARCHEGGIO CUSTODITO (guarded parking).
Posted by
OP
New York
12 posts
Thank you very much Roberto! This is very helpful!