Theft after theft. Public transport between Rome and Milan attacked daily by wild and out-of-control pickpockets. A tourist, a commuter, a simple citizen – at any time – runs the risk of being robbed in a general climate of insecurity and impunity. Testimony to this is Paolo Del Debbio who, with his reporters, goes around the Capitoline and Milanese subways every day and surprises pickpockets in the midst of their activity. Yet another report from the capital’s metro – which shows a new episode of violence by cutpurses against the Mediaset journalist – kicks off the debate on Dritto e Rovescio, full of controversy. Among the guests in the studio, the Halilovic family connected from the Roma camp in Via Lombroso in Rome. And Del Debbio’s first question to Humiza and Dejan Halilovic: “Look, Humiza, but is it possible that we won’t be able to contain this phenomenon? Can’t you stop these women?”.
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The answer shocks the host and guests: “They will never be able to stop the thefts, because that is survival and they are right to steal – it’s freezing in the studio – do you know why I’m telling you this here? Because we too got tired of this story as if the law didn’t exist or the police weren’t there.” Justifications that few understand: “People who have nothing to do with the law get involved. They are normal people and they also risk their lives. Poverty is a bad thing: one no longer has limits when he has needs, he sees no other possibility than to steal to support children and other things.” “So it’s okay, in short?” Del Debbio asks ironically. “It’s not that they go and steal. It’s poverty,” Humiza tries to reply; but he’s inflexible: “Well, you said they’re right to steal.” he gives up: “Yes, they do well to survive because the state doesn’t give them a job”. “Good teaching to the other Roma” echoes Del Debbio.
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Justifications that no one likes. The editorial director of Libero, Daniele Capezzone, also intervenes in the studio, condemning Humiza’s words and, after some exchanges, also nailing the criticisms of Gennaro Spinelli, president of the Union of Roman Communities in Italy. He quotes an interview in Il Corriere della Sera with a fully active Roma pickpocket: “It happened that one day I put 1,000 euros in my pocket, but even 500 euros are a fortune, because now people go around with little cash. But I have patience, I act 7 days a week, from morning to evening – explains Capezzone who ends the dispute with his interlocutor – 500 euros for 30 days is 15 thousand euros a month and you should isolate them”.
