Significant police/army presence in public spaces

When I lived in Germany in the late 70's, there was a significant military presence everywhere due to Baader-Mienhoff issues. Seeing military in the airports with machine guns and dogs was not uncommon. Their presence seemed to fade away in the 1990's and early 2000's.
I can't remember when I was last in NYC (was fairly recent), but when I was I did notice the National Guard presence. My one thought when I saw them was that the weapons they were armed with had suppressor tips which to me meant no live ammo. Not sure if this is the case but when I was in the Army, the suppressor tips did not allow for live ammo (this was a long time ago, so I could be mistaken). In Europe, never a question whether of not the army had live rounds.
Sad, sad state of affairs when one has to worry about internal or external threats on election day.

Paris in 2009: armed military security everywhere. We also found that to be reassuring rather than disconcerting.

cb,

Just curious, what did the "suppressor tips" look like? It could either be a muzzle brake or a blank firing adaptor.

Regarding the presence of troops in public spaces, I hardly even notice them. That's just the way it is these days, so it seems normal.

@CB - yep, I lived in Germany then, too, so I remember all that as well. Lots of armed soldiers in Frankfurt Airport. You know, I didn't see very many of them this summer - but there must have been many - just maybe plain-clothed. Especially since there had been the shooter in Munich during that week, I wondered where the soldiers were.

My question would be, WHY would there be a big public Italian military presence right now??

Shelley,

It's possible the authorities have some indication of an increased threat, so they've increased the number of security forces in public spaces. The anniversary of the Paris attacks will be coming up next week.

In my experience, there's been a military presence in popular tourist spots in Italy and other European countries for many years. Last time I visited the Duomo in Milan a few years ago, I had to go through a checkpoint at the door with Polizia di Stato, Carabinieri and a soldier with an assault rifle. Doesn't bother me in the least.

Was in Munich last week, and there was significant heavily armed police presence at the train station, Marienplatz area, and on the metro to the airport.

Have been in Roma for a month and armed military police are at every important church, synagogue, Jewish schools, historic site, etc, plus electronic scanning of bags and people before entering, like airports. To me it is a comfort, not so much for my personal safety, but for the protection of some of Italy's and the world's irreplaceable heritage. I have thanked many of the soldiers. They seem very aware of the importance of their job.

As a Canadian not used to the daily presence of heavily armed police/military, it was a bit disconcerting the first time we were in Paris (2010) and seeing the men/women armed with the assault rifles (or what looked like 'machine guns' to my very untrained eye) at the big train stations...in 2011 when we were in NYC during the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the police presence was huge and my husband was like - it's actually a bit comforting.

Still a jolt for someone from small town Nova Scotia tho :) But now it's something I'm used to and with all the hullabaloo over there, it's nice to know that there is a presence...

Nicole,
I totally understand where you are coming from. I live in a semi- rural area and do not see a heavy security presence. So, my first reaction is something like "oh no, what's going on? Why is this necessary? Or, ugh! Another hassle!" Even Rome banks require you to enter through a "tube." I had never done that before. I am one who likes to freely cruise through things with as few barriers as possible.
As for security in rural areas, I know many of the locals around here are packing pistols these days. The locals are my neighbors and are on my side.

I noticed a definite increase in armed police between our trip to Italy in 2013 and this year. I was even surprised there were 2 armed policemen outside the tiny little synagogue in Pitigliano, but I understand why. I'm happy to see the increase in security but it's a sad commentary on a sign of the times!

I too noticed a significant difference this summer from prior years and posted something about it while traveling in August.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/an-unexpected-safe-question

I am not freaked out, but not really convinced either. Should an attack develop, what is the army supposed to do, fire their machine guns in the middle of the crowds?

Visited Paris a few weeks after Charlie Hebdo, and saw the heavy police/military presence. Didn't bother me at all. Unfortunately, it didn't stop the attacks as evidenced by the multiple attacks there last November.

Lots of military and police in all the major sites in Rome this August- streets were closed around the Colosseum, Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, etc. After the 80 dead in Nice from a truck, was good to have the guards around. In my eyes, seemed there were always more police visible on the streets in Europe than the US.

Ken,
I I recall correctly, it was a black screw on type clip set over the tip of the barrel.

After traveling in Italy for the past 4 years, I was just surprised to the number pf police, etc. I have always seen them at the airport, just not in the public places.Just an observation for others traveling to Italy soon. I do remember either reading or hearing news about an expected uptick in potential terrorists activities in response to the assault on Mosel. I'm not bothered by them at all, just as I was not bothered by the extra security I went through at the airport. For some reason I was flagged for additional security check. 61 year old, slightly overweight, country bumpkin from VT. Oh well.

Some insight - hopefully useful for the sake of this conversation - from a local: in spite of what it looks like, the increase of army around embassies, government offices and landmarks is only partially tied to the terrorist threat.

What you see when visiting is the tip of the iceberg, so to say, of an operation called "Safer Streets", where military are deployed to help the police in patrolling. Said operation dates back to 2008. Soldiers tend to rotate and disappear for a while, then reappear, due to the government's dwindling budget. This year their presence has been definitely more noticeable thanks to the Holy Year, as they've been around more and in larger numbers to help manage the crowds - or the pickpockets trying to get at those.

Agree with the OP, was very surprised by the army presence at many sites on our recent visit. Did not bother me in the least as a tourist but hard not to notice it. Very obvious in Florence and also Pisa. They seemed to be there to make their presence known only, not to actually be doing any security details.
Also went to Paris on the same trip and there security was much tighter (bags checked every where even large retail stores) there was more of a police and security personal presence in Paris than anywhere we went in Italy but Italy was unique in the army presence.

cb,

Given the fact that it was black, it sounds more like a muzzle brake or something of that type. BFA's are usually bright yellow or similar.

In my experience, the expanded military presence has been going on for awhile in varying degrees. When I was in Venice in September 2015 there were soldiers assisting police, even with rousting scammers in Piazza San Marco. I couldn't see if the soldier had a sidearm, but she did have a nightstick.

I just returned from twelve days on the ground in Rome-Orvieto-Siena-Florence myself and also noted heavy military presence in Rome and Florence. I guess I was a little surprised at the level of it. Even in random places like the street that I used to get between the Trevi fountain and the Spanish Steps. It's just on the way between places, and not that close to either. (Maybe a government official lives near there?) While not playing down the fact that this is the result of perceived heightened level or danger from terrorist threats, it neither freaked me out nor reassured me. Possibly different cultures deal with similar threat levels differently. I remember being shocked to see military with machine guns in the Rome airport in 1999, and it was not directly in the heels of any attack that I can recall. In the U.S. of course we saw this in airports as well after 9/11, but it was more on the heels of an attack.