Apecalessini in Syracuse, en masse respond to the notice but only 18 regulars – BlogSicilia

They would have responded en masse to the notice from the Municipality of Syracuse to regulate transport with apecalessini. Thirty-five, according to an authoritative institutional source, would have presented their candidature, some of whom, owners of the vehicles, would, however, have invited family members with a clean criminal record to participate, but at the end of the screening the regular patrol would have been reduced to 18 .

The situation

Many compared to the 7 authorized until some time ago against a fleet of around 40 apecalissini, protagonists last summer of the invasion of the historic centre, to the point of “forcing” the former prefect of Syracuse, Giusi Scaduto, to convene the Committee for public order and safety to deal with this phenomenon. After the summit, checks by the police inevitably began, in particular it was the Carabinieri of Ortigia who carried out the checks, culminating in the seizures of some vehicles.

The assault on tourists

Many remember the assault on tourists as they got off the cruise ships at Molo Sant’Antonio, scenes that will not be repeated this year due to MSC’s withdrawal from the port of Syracuse. In short, illegal apecalessini was one of the problems of the 2023 season, which runs from the start of classical performances at the Greek Theater until the month of September, the most tourist period for the city.

Damage to tourist guides and tax evasion

Not to mention another form of illegal activity: often, the owners of the apecalissini themselves improvise tourist guides, annoying and above all damaging those who carry out this profession complete with authorizations. And then there is the question of compensation from tourists, many of whom would be released under the table, without any invoice or receipt, meaning the money is untraceable and stolen from the tax authorities.

The municipality’s notice

And so, the Municipality’s notice, also requested by the squatters themselves, also protagonists of the demonstration under Palazzo Vermexio, aims to fill a regulatory gap; Boundaries have been set in reference to the itinerary for tourists: Ortigia, Neapolis Archaeological Park, Madonna delle Lacrime Sanctuary, Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum, Catacombs of S. Giovanni, Piazza S. Lucia, Latomie dei Cappuccini. In essence, they are all tourist stops, without any exceptions. One wonders what the others who are left out will do? Will we go back to see the jungle in 2023?