BOLZANO. The Provincial Carabinieri Command of Bolzano, on the night of ”Halloween”, between Thursday and Friday, carried out an extraordinary control service of the territory throughout the South Tyrolean province. They have been busy beyond 60 patrols with 120 soldiers of the Carabinieri Radiomobile Stations and Units. They carried out extensive checks along the primary and secondary road axes of the province, without neglecting isolated areas that could be the object of attention by criminals taking advantage of the celebrations on “Halloween” night with several masked people present on the street for the occasion.
They were more than 1000 people and 600 vehicles were checked, as well as 80 public businesses.
Many were young people in obvious state of drunkennesssome of which disturbed the public peace in historic centres, such as that of Bressanonewhere they were exploded in the middle of the night numerous fireworks;
Ten they were the educated people driving cars while under the influence of alcoholtwo with very high values (over 2 g/l), with immediate withdrawal of the driving license and three vehicles seized for confiscation.
Six young people were caught consuming narcotics of various types and others they held on their person, all subjected to seizure, with reporting to the Government Commissariat for the Province of Bolzano.
The following did not escape the checks of the Carabinieri present throughout the provincial territory: two Italians with precedents for crimes against property, to be considered real marauders on the “Halloween” night, who had on board the car in which they were travelling various burglary tools (crowbar, auger, winch, shears, knife and so on), ready to take advantage of the ongoing celebrations to break into homes and public businesses, committing thefts, which did not occur only thanks to the fruitful preventive activity implemented by the Weapon. The two were checked by the Carabinieri Company of Egna, which seized all the material in their possession, reporting them; two foreigners who were in Bolzano, despite the fact that one of them was subject to a compulsory expulsion order from the Municipality and the other was issued an urban Daspo from the streets of the centre, issued following previous crimes committed by them in the city.
The Provincial Commander of the Carabinieri of Bolzano, Colonel Antonio Forte, stated how “the results achieved during the service demonstrate, once again, how necessary it is to continue control and prevention activities in the area. These services will be repeated to always maintain a high level of attention and guarantee citizens the best safety conditions.”
Interview: Halloween Night Security Measures in Bolzano
Editor (Time.news): Good day, and welcome to our special segment. Today, we’re discussing the exciting and somewhat alarming outcomes from Halloween night here in Bolzano, where local law enforcement ramped up security measures. With us is Dr. Elena Rossi, a criminologist and security analyst. Dr. Rossi, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Elena Rossi: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. This year, the Bolzano Provincial Carabinieri conducted impressive security operations with over 60 patrols and 120 soldiers. What do you think drove the need for such a large-scale response?
Dr. Rossi: The high visibility of police presence during Halloween reflects a proactive approach to public safety, especially since holiday celebrations can attract not only revelry but also potential criminal activities. Given that there were numerous people in the streets, law enforcement aimed to deter such behaviors before they began.
Editor: Exactly! The numbers are striking—over 1,000 individuals and 600 vehicles were checked, as well as 80 public businesses. What does this indicate about the landscape of public behavior during festive occasions like Halloween?
Dr. Rossi: It shows a crucial awareness of the links between celebrations and misconduct. Large gatherings often lead to increased alcohol consumption and, subsequently, disturbances. The fact that they detected numerous cases of public drunkenness and even drug use reinforces the importance of maintaining safety during festivities.
Editor: One key aspect was the alarming rate of DUI offenses, particularly with several individuals registering levels over 2g/l. Why do you think this occurred on such a significant night of celebration?
Dr. Rossi: There’s a combination of factors at play. First, holidays like Halloween encourage nightlife and drinking, especially among younger people. This, paired with the anonymity of masks and the social atmosphere, can lead some to take risks they might avoid on a regular night. The enforcement of strict penalties, such as immediate license withdrawal, acts as a necessary deterrent.
Editor: What insights can we derive from the arrest of six individuals found consuming narcotics and the apprehension of two attempted burglars?
Dr. Rossi: This paints a broader picture of the potential for crime during festive events. Even if the majority of the public is celebrating responsibly, there’s always a subset that may exploit the chaos for criminal behavior. The presence of individuals with burglary tools suggests premeditated intentions, which the authorities evidently anticipated and prepared for.
Editor: There seems to be a growing need for cities to balance festive celebrations with safety measures. How can local governments improve safety during these cultural events in the future?
Dr. Rossi: Collaboration between law enforcement and public health officials is vital. Educational campaigns prior to events about responsible drinking, along with enhanced monitoring and support services on the ground, could significantly mitigate risks. Additionally, fostering an environment where community members can intervene in a positive manner could cultivate a safer celebratory atmosphere.
Editor: Those are excellent points, Dr. Rossi. As we reflect on the outcomes of this Halloween night, what do you hope to see in future celebrations regarding safety protocols?
Dr. Rossi: I hope to see more community engagement in safety measures, perhaps even volunteer organizations aiding police. Continued presence of law enforcement will always be important, but creating a supportive culture around these events can encourage positive behavior and reduce incidents.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Rossi, for your insights into what was undoubtedly a busy and revealing Halloween night in Bolzano. We appreciate your expertise and look forward to seeing how these safety measures might evolve in the future.
Dr. Rossi: Thank you for having me! It’s essential that we keep the conversation going about public safety during celebrations.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for joining us. Stay safe, and keep the dialogue alive on public safety in our communities. Until next time!