Today is celebrated 210th anniversary of the foundation of the Carabinieri, which for over two centuries has stood by the citizens with territorial Commands, Stations and Headquarters, alongside the Forestry Stations and Special Departments which allow the protection and safeguarding of the population in every aspect: from health to the environment, from from labor legislation to that of cultural heritage, up to the fight against terrorism. For the occasion, this morning, a Power the ceremony kicked off at the “Lucania” barracks with the raising of the flag and the laying of the laurel wreath to the Fallen.
Subsequently, at the Hall of Memory, the Commander of the “Basilicata” Carabinieri Legion, Brigadier General Giancarlo Scafuri, in concert with the “Basilicata” Forestry Carabinieri Commander, Colonel Maria Gabriella Martino, the Provincial Commander Carabinieri Matera, Colonel Giovanni Russothe Provincial Commander Carabinieri Potenza, Colonel Luca D’Amore, and the Commander of the Potenza Carabinieri Biodiversity Department, Lieutenant Colonel Antonia Lombardi, outlined a summary of the major activities carried out during the year. Also present were some commanders of the Special Units.
In particular, the departments that exist in the region have arrested 421 people, reported 3656 people e Approximately 39 kg of narcotics were seized. In the field of gender violence, 52 people were arrested and 248 reported. Were performed 132 interventions for family abuse, 19 for sexual violence and 80 for stalking. The Carabinieri served 30 mandatory deportation orders, requested 106 oral warnings and subjected 6 people to the prevention measure of special surveillance with mandatory residence. 72 asset checks were carried out with the reporting of 15 people. The road traffic control activity was particularly incisive, allowing checks to be carried out on 186,407 vehicles, 236,045 people and 172,855 traffic documents, which made it possible to raise 10,642 fines for an amount of 2,990,985.48 euros. Overall, 63,084 requests were received at the operations centers via 112.
“These are years in which something has changed – commented General Scafuri -. The Carabinieri today is modern and the special departments are testimony to this. I had the perception that the Lucanian population is perfectly integrated with the Carabinieri and it is a pride to say that the Carabinieri of Basilicata are the best and I’m proud to be in charge”.
“All our cores are perfectly integrated – stated Colonel Martino –. This integration makes our interventions more profitable, mainly aimed at combating environmental crimes. The Basilicata region is very interesting and protected from various points of view. We have two national parks and areas to protect that require maximum attention. We have contested at least 400 thousand euros in fines. The penalty occupies a significant part especially in the waste sector”.
Lieutenant Colonel Lombardi then also focused on the importance of protecting the environment, of which today is World Day. Environmental education is fundamental for the Biodiversity Department, practiced in collaboration with schools and associations. Of particular importance is the management of the “Monticchio” Equestrian Selection Centre, in the hamlet of Sant’Andrea di Atella, which extends over 272 hectares of surface area. Here, Anglo-Arab and Italian saddle horses are selected for breeding.
Colonel D’Amore spoke and focused on the data for the province of Potenza who saw a “decline in crime”.
“The past year has been intense – he has declared – full of situations to deal with and the results, thanks also to the precious contribution of the press, were reported with serenity. The province of Potenza is very large and is affected by the proximity of neighboring territories. From 8,700 crimes in 2019, the number rose to 6,400 in 2023. therefore we can affirm a decrease in crime. It must be said that since 2024 we have had to face particular situations with a negative trend and difficult to deal with, namely that relating to thefts, including from banks. Another counter-trend figure concerns the three murders plus one attempt, discovered thanks to the Station Commanders. We continue to affirm our presence in the area with the fight against crime, gender violence and scams against the elderly, a topic that is particularly close to our hearts. The Company and Station Commanders did an excellent job making themselves available, meeting vulnerable people, explaining how to prevent and not fall. We must project ourselves into the future by working side by side with the same enthusiasm for the protection of legality”.
In the first 5 months of the year 2024 the departments that exist in the territory of the region have arrested 146 people and reported 1,403 people to the Judicial Authority. Approximately 3.5 kg of drugs were seized, worth over 86,000 euros. On the subject of gender violence, 30 people were arrested and 161 reported. 129 interventions were carried out for family abuse, 3 for sexual violence and 64 for persecutory acts. The Carabinieri served 11 mandatory deportation orders, requested 52 oral warnings and subjected 2 people to the prevention measure of special surveillance with mandatory residence. 58 asset checks were carried out with reports from 34 people. The road traffic control activity made it possible to carry out checks on 75,822 vehicles, 95,375 people and 71,777 traffic documents, which made it possible to raise 2,887 fines for an amount of 917,131.18 euros. Furthermore, 18,411 requests were received at the operations centers via 112.
The data is therefore evident increasing regarding complaints of gender violence, given that as underlined by General Scafuri “makes the strong presence of the Carabinieri felt in the area, therefore it makes one think positively about the increase in complaints relating to mistreatment in the family. A growing number which suggests that people believe in the intervention of the Army. The modification of the legislation on the so-called red code makes it clear that the problem is more serious. So let’s not look at this data in a negative way”.
As regards the operations of the Special Branches, the Carabinieri of the Forestry Departmentengaged in the typical sectors regarding protection of the environment and landscape, of the territory, of waters as well as in the field of safety and agri-food sectors, 390 people reported, 1,200 administrative offenses were discovered, 58,000 checks were carried out and 92 assets were seized. In the first 5 months of 2024, 280 people were reported, 813 administrative offences, 21,245 checks and 45 seizures of assets. THE Carabinieri of the Ecological Operational Unit of Potenzain the fight against environmental crimes, reported 48 people and carried out numerous seizures for a total value of approximately 2,300,000 euros.
In the first 5 months of the year a positive trend follows with assets seized for a value of approximately 1,000,000 euros and 6 people reported; the Carabinieri of the Anti-adulteration and Health Unit of Potenza, as part of the sector activities carried out to the detriment of the socio-welfare structures in the area (retirement homes for the elderly – RSA), have detected the illicit practice of the profession of as many as 60 OSS operating in 9 structures and the consequent application Of 4 interdictory measures and 73 searches of homes and facilities for the elderly and the seizure of numerous documents proving the illicit activity perpetrated. In the first five months of 2024, 405 inspections were recorded (of which 194 at healthcare facilities and 4 at care facilities for the elderly), 30 criminal/administrative seizures were carried out for a value of 1,029,440 euros, 26 people were reported, 67 were fined administrative for a value of 109,880 euros; the Carabinieri of the Labor Inspectorate Units of Potenza and Matera, in the sector of specific expertise, have inspected a total of 461 companies (in the construction, agricultural, tertiary, commerce and industrial sectors) raising administrative sanctions of 279,900 euros and 799,133 euros for criminal sanctions. 222 workplace safety inspections were carried out which resulted in 6 measures suspending activities and 2 preventive seizures; Furthermore, 1689 workers were checked to ascertain the presence of 27 in black And 126 irregular positions with simultaneous suspension of 7 business activities. 10 people arrested and 74 reported.
In the first five months of the year, 251 companies were inspected, including 110 in the construction sector, 49 in the agricultural sector, 30 in the tertiary sector, 39 in the commerce sector, 12 in the industry sector, raising administrative fines of 166,708.00 and 523,571 .00 euros for criminal sanctions; 214 workplace safety inspections were then carried out, resulting in 7 measures suspending business activities and 2 preventive seizures of construction sites; 867 workers were checked, of which 14 were illegal and 47 had irregular positions. A total of 37 people were reported.
The celebrations will continue in the afternoon, when some soldiers who have particularly distinguished themselves in important service operations to protect the community and the common good will be rewarded.
Furthermore, the Commander of the Basilicata Legion will remember the sacrifice of the martyrs of Fiesole whose 80th anniversary is celebrated and of the Lucanian carabinieri who fell in the performance of duty.
The anniversary of the Carabinieri, therefore, is an important opportunity to reflect on the role played by the Carabinieri in protecting security and public order in our country. Their constant presence in the area and their daily commitment are fundamental to guarantee the tranquility of citizens and the defense of the values of our society, which is why this day translates into a moment of celebration, but also of thanksgiving, for the sacrifice and the dedication of all those who are part of this prestigious institution.
