We need greater territorial control: more men in uniform, more police cars and more gazelles. The people asking for it, particularly on social media, are residents in the hamlets of Guidonia Montecelio who, now almost daily, report on the various Facebook groups about thefts from homes or vehicles. A truly worrying situation, which also concerns real safety and perceived safety.
“The safety of citizens, both in its objective component (anti-social or criminal behavior) and in its subjective component (perception of social alarm by individuals), constitutes – we read in a note from Istat – one of the indicators of the “state of health” of a community and represents an essential dimension of civil coexistence. Statistical information in this area constitutes a fundamental aid for orienting and evaluating security policies, in improving coexistence between citizens”.
It is useful to remind the police forces again that they must be provided with the tools to carry out effective action to combat crime. But the local community, in a broader and more collaborative context, can also do its part by reporting potentially dangerous situations to the emergency numbers. Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and data analysis, can also do a lot to identify the most “at risk” areas and, therefore, improve territorial monitoring strategies. These activities, if implemented in a coordinated and sustained manner, can significantly contribute to combating criminal phenomena and promoting safety.
The situation deserves attention also considering that today the municipal administration is collecting the requests “…of many residents, in particular numerous mothers”, has decided to close the play area in Piazza Dante, in Setteville. A space that has apparently been affected for some time by episodes of drug consumption and dealing which no longer allow families and children to use them in safe conditions. Video surveillance systems will soon be installed in order to return the area to the community as soon as possible. But it is clear that the Municipality cannot do it alone.
