Italian troops set to begin street patrols

[unhappycamper]

Source: Stars and Stripes

Italian troops set to begin street patrols
By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Wednesday, July 30, 2008

NAPLES, Italy — Italian soldiers will start patrolling streets on Monday as part of a controversial plan to fight crime — with many of the 3,000 soldiers descending on Milan, Rome and Naples, the cities that tend to have the most trouble with it, officials announced Tuesday.

The soldiers will patrol alongside regular state police and the carabinieri, Italy’s paramilitary police, according to a spokeswoman with the Interior Ministry.

The nation’s crime has increased over the past several years. That, coupled with the onset of the summer tourism season, makes the use of troops a necessity, said Neapolitan Gianfranco Bruno, 37.

"Actually, I’m very happy to hear it," said Bruno, employed at the U.S. Navy base in Naples. "I hope it brings more security. The soldiers can help the carabinieri and the police, who cannot do it alone."

Read more: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=56442

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uhc comment: Berlusconi continues down the same path as Mussolini.

[pattmarty]

1. Il Duce, Il Duce, Il Duce!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sasquatch]

2. That's what they chant

[sourmilk]

6. Yup - welcome back to 1932, citizens...

[awoke_in_2003]

3. As long as the trains run on time. nt

[DavidDvorkin]

7. I've read that Mussolini didn't really make the trains run on time

But everyone stopped talking about the trains not running on time.

[awoke_in_2003]

13. sounds plausible. nt

[Phred42]

4. That's the next phase

And where next?

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. Sounds like the Chicago plan:

Ill. Gov: Chicago May Get Troopers, National Guard

Mayor Daley Surprised by Official's Comments

By DON BABWIN
July 17, 2008

Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Wednesday raised the possibility of bringing in state troopers or even the Illinois National Guard to help Chicago combat a recent increase in violent crime -- an offer that Mayor Richard Daley didn't know was coming.

Appearing at signing ceremony for a bill that toughens the penalty for adults who provide guns to minors, Blagojevich said "violent crime in the city of Chicago is out of control."

"I'm offering resources of the state to the city to work in a constructive way with Mayor Daley to do everything we can possibly do to help ... stop this violence," said the governor.

Blagojevich said Daley had not asked for help and he had not talked to the mayor about offering it, adding he would call Daley after he met later in the day with the state police, National Guard and others.

more: http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=5392684&page=1

[aine p]

8. What a Shame...

I know crime is suppose to be rife in Italy but have never seen anything myself despite having been there too many times to remember.

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. Well, at least its not as bad as Detroit

[underpants]

10. Rising food prices-hungry people will do anything for food

Keep that in mind

[Dissent Is Patriotic]

11. I am skeptical about this purported rise in crime...

Crime has ALWAYS been a big problem in Naples. I was recently in Rome and Naples and am happy to report no noticeable rise. Berlusconi wants to flex his muscle, period.

[Endangered Specie]

12. this does not come as a suprise if you look at Italian politics...

fascism has never died over there.