Security in Ravenna: “fewer raids on homes”. Cantarelli and Malpezzi from the neighborhood watch groups speak

A drop in thefts was also recorded by the three WhatsApp chats of the neighborhood watch groups, Ravenna SOS Sicurezza, SOS Ravenna Chat and SOS Ravenna and Forlì Indipendente. «The people of Ravenna began to be targeted in November and the emergency lasted until February – explained Andrea Malpezzi of SOS Ravenna chat -: reports of successful or attempted thefts were daily and the citizens were very worried. It happened that thieves entered homes where families were having dinner: they climbed onto the gutters, reached the second floor where they ransacked the rooms without being discovered. Today the situation in Piangipane, which had been particularly targeted, has improved, also because checks by the police in uniform or plain clothes have increased. We were very happy to have been invited to participate in the assembly which was held in the locality last week and which saw the participation, among others, of the mayor De Pascale, the Prefect De Rosa and the provincial Commander of the Carabinieri, Lachi . It was a strong signal for citizens that the institutions are there. It has been promised that, thanks to state, European and municipal funds, the video surveillance system will be strengthened throughout the area and infrared cameras connected directly to the police will arrive in Piangipane”. The sentries in the area whose chats have thousands of members carry out a valuable job in a province as vast as ours where the police cannot be everywhere, all the time. “We want to be of help to the community, which is why we examine every report and forward those that cause the greatest concern to the police” – added Roberto Cantarelli of independent SOS Ravenna and Forlì, underlining how several users of the chats are also policemen and carabinieri. «The surge in thefts recorded by the Ravenna area is fortunately decreasing, but our attention remains high. In Piangipane, San Pancrazio, Roncalceci, Ragone, San Pietro in Vincoli, San Pietro in Trento, Carraie and in the entire area behind Mirabilandia there have been around 150 reports per day in recent months. The independent Ravenna and Forlì SOS chats monitor a large area: from the Lamone valley to Martorano di Cesena, from Classe lido to Milano Marittima. And it is the close collaboration with Ravenna SOS Sicurezza and SOS Ravenna Chat that allows us to have an overview and be useful to the police, who we obviously do not want to replace. We have had some meetings with the Bishop of Forlì and the Bishop of Ravenna to be able to enter the parishes and explain our activity to citizens who do not yet know it and we would also like to make agreements with the social centres. In addition to thefts, what worries us are scams, especially for the elderly.” (marianna carnoli)