Toscolano Maderno Improves Safety with New Lighting and Police Measures
More light on 45bis and greater safety in town. The mayor of Toscolano Maderno Paolo Elena, the vice Vincenzo Chimini, and the head of the municipal police, Bruno Bordignon, explained the interventions carried out in recent weeks to make the summer less scorching and dangerous. From June 15 to September 15, the municipal police perform extensive service, from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week. However, on Fridays and Saturdays, officers will work 24 hours a day, aiming to prevent, as much as possible, weekend accidents.
Police service and cooperation
For any needs or emergencies, the contact numbers are 0365-540610 or 541600, or directly on mobile at 0335-5708538. The office on via Aquilani ensures minimal public opening hours, from 9 to 12 every day, also for handling administrative procedures.
“This,” explains Bordignon, “is what the administration is doing with the new proximity police figure, so called because it operates visibly in the territory, in direct contact with citizens, in order to understand their problems, both in terms of safety and civil coexistence.
It is clear that a valid and efficient surveillance, in collaboration with the State Police (especially the Carabinieri, with whom we already operate in close harmony and cooperation), sends a positive message towards continuous improvement. Working together, we have managed, for example, to stop some pickpockets.” Toscolano Maderno has eight officers and three seasonal staff.
Contacts and summer activities
They also work for Tignale, Magasa, and Valvestino, areas otherwise lacking surveillance. There is also a cooperative relationship with Gargnano. Mayor Elena recalls that in summer the number of events increases exponentially: from concerts to local festivals, from celebrations for the patron saint (Sant’Ercolano) to neighborhood parties. Every evening, the calendar features an event to watch out for and follow.
There are also markets, in addition to the usual Thursday market at Montagnette: on Wednesday, in piazza S. Marco in Maderno, for the exchange of antiques and collectibles (hours 10-23); Saturday morning in Toscolano, in piazza Bernini and via Trento, with artisanal products; and Saturday evening, with 40-45 stalls.
Not to mention the large influx of tourists, in hotels, private homes, and especially camping sites. Consequently, the efforts of law enforcement intensify significantly. Heavy traffic on roads and the influx of tourists turn every summer Toscolano into an extremely crowded place, making greater surveillance indispensable.
With the expansion of the surveillance service, which since January 1 was performed with a minimum of two consecutive shifts from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (extended to midnight once a week), efforts are now being made to meet increased needs. For the 45 bis state road, new lamps have been installed: about ninety in total.
“The white ones,” adds the mayor, “did not illuminate at all and left a dark halo. The new ones, yellow in color, are high-lumen. This intervention adds to the one carried out in recent months regarding pedestrian crossings, which became necessary after the deaths of three pensioners hit in different times. Now, the highway is well illuminated.
Additionally, we widened the bridge over the river, building two external footbridges.” It would be appropriate for nearby areas to upgrade as well (some have already started, to be honest). Bordignon concludes by recalling traffic statistics.
“The purchase of the speed camera, which we use unexpectedly, has led to a reduction of about twenty kilometers per hour. This has resulted in a significant decrease in accidents. The last fatality was over a year ago, involving two boys who crashed between Bogliaco and Toscolano. Otherwise, only minor dents with damages in a few thousand lire,” states the commander.