New law raises fears of vigilantes ruling Italy’s streets
The world’s leaders gathered in Italy this week to tackle global problems at the G8 summit. And the host nation has been taking the lead addressing its domestic concerns. Last week, the Italian parliament approved a controversial set of new laws contained in their so-called “security package”.
One of the most contentious points was the legalization of vigilante groups to deter growing street crime. For years, groups of private citizens, known as “ronde” have been getting together to patrol at night and their presence has been welcomed by some Italians as a way of discouraging crimes like drug pushing; while it’s been strongly contested by others who say groups like these are intimidating and even racist. I went out with the country’s oldest voluntary patrol group: the City Angels.
(first broadcast on Inside Europe, Deutsche Welle Radio, 11th July, 2009)