Valtenesi Launches Italy’s First Night Patrols to Combat Villa Theft

Against the villa gang yesterday in Manerba, the seven municipalities of Valtenesi, the hinterland of Garda – 10,000 isolated houses – signed a sacred alliance with Prefect of Brescia Anna Maria Cancellieri.

From mid-October onwards, every night, from 7 PM to 7 AM, the area will be patrolled by municipal police – the first case in Italy – and simultaneously a control center capable of triggering real-time alerts will be operational.

Private individuals, in turn, can raise the security gates of technological protection: an agreement between Manerba and Gpd of Andria (Bari) allows, at affordable prices – starting from 3 million euros – to equip homes with sophisticated alarm systems connected via Gsm to the same control center, as well as to the owner’s mobile phone in case they are away from home.

Private security system and institutional collaboration

The same system applies to telesoccorso, which is worn around the neck like a chain. Already, 400 families have joined.

«We are under siege; certain villas have been robbed multiple times,” says Mayor of Manerba Isidoro Bertini –. That’s how the “Valtenesi Safe” plan was born.

Cost? 400 million euros for the municipality. In exchange, we hope, for a return to normal life.» Present at the signing of the protocol were Provincial President Alberto Cavalli, Questore Paolo Scarpis, and Carabinieri officers.

«This criminal activity is fought by coordinating forces in the field,” emphasizes Prefect Cancellieri –. The intervention of the police will be invaluable.

Of course, other measures are also needed: effective regulations to remove illegal immigrants and eliminate many ghettos. But Valtenesi has taken a significant step forward».

The role of police officers and measures against crime

Thus, the zone’s police officers, coordinated by Manerba Commander Gianfranco Rossi, will dedicate 6 hours per week to night patrols.

With some persuasion, nearly all of the 21 officers accepted the new commitments.

A consultation with Rome confirmed that they also have the authority to identify suspicious persons or stop those caught in the act (a security camera system is in planning).

Obviously, without overlapping police and carabinieri activities. Every anomaly is immediately recorded by the control center, says Domenico Troia, administrator of Gpd:

what specifically is being tampered with – a window, a door – and at the first sign of foreign presence, the lighting system is activated.

«But the second level of crime must also be fought,” emphasizes Mayor of Padenghe Giancarlo Allegri –. Those gentlemen who launder dirty money.

In our area, suspicious construction companies operate,” notes Provincial Councillor Ermes Buffoli. Garda means 7.5 million tourist visits.

The fear of robberies threatens to compromise also the lake’s greatest wealth.