Sirmione Enforces Strict Fines for Tourist Soliciting and Misconduct
A one million euro fine. That’s the amount the owner of a business located on the very central Via Castello will have to pay, subject to appeals. But it’s undoubtedly the unusual reason behind the ticket issued by city police that is making headlines.
Just like the recent six million euro fine that brought the Bergamasque couple featured on «Mi manda Rai3» to pay a six million euro penalty for taking their dog to the beach.
This incident will have a Garda Lake appendix because the «Fondo amici di Paco», a non-profit association based in Desenzano, has decided to collect signatures to change the regulations. The signatures will be sent directly to the President of the Republic.
Municipal Regulations and Forbidden Practices
At Sirmione, an internationally renowned thermal tourist destination, Police Regulations Article 79, paragraph 2, explicitly prohibit: «To attract customers in a pestering and inappropriate manner». A practice that has also taken root in the internationally beloved peninsula of Catullus, to the extent that in certain areas it is widely practiced.
This is also documented by the first violation sanctioned by the police in recent days. The victim was a young shop assistant caught repeatedly calling «Hallo, hallo, hallo» to some foreign tourists passing along via Castello, according to the officers.
The young man defended himself, saying he was only greeting them, that he didn’t know this was forbidden, and that they were on the sidewalk of the local establishment.
Sanctions and Increased Controls
Thus, soliciting the numerous tourists who flock to the narrow streets of the historic center for at least 8-9 months a year is prohibited. And, barring errors, after six years from the regulation’s approval, the first ticket has finally been issued.
This is not the only one issued recently by the city police, who now have a new commander. The crackdown was decided by the center-right municipal administration, which intends to restore quality to the historic center.
«A year ago, after the new Administration took office – explains Mayor Maurizio Ferrari – I personally sent a letter to all business operators on the peninsula. I reminded them, in conducting their business, to respect existing rules, emphasizing that it was not permitted to keep radio devices playing loudly, call out to customers, respect the concession zone, and deposit trash only after a certain evening hour.
We waited a year, and now it has been decided to move from words to actions. This is the administration’s stance, communicated a year ago».
And now the rules are being strictly enforced, applying, in case of violations, the maximum penalty. So, pestering customer calls will likely cost – unless appealed – a one million euro fine.
Additionally, there’s a risk, in case of repeat offenses, of temporary closure of the activity for up to 7 days.
The singular and only case of fines for soliciting clients—a practice quite widespread in many parts of the country—is now established in Sirmione. It adds to other tickets and violations involving local merchants.
Starting with those risking several million euro fines for the allegedly irregular positioning of their counters or for displaying advertising signs deemed non-compliant.
Controls continue, and this time, officers appear to be uncompromising.