Palermo: Major joint operation against illegality and petty crime

For several weeks, Palermo's historic center has been the focus of a massive extraordinary territorial control operation, ordered by the Prefecture and coordinated by the Police Headquarters. Every day, the State Police, Carabinieri, Guardia di Finanza, and Municipal Police patrol the city's most sensitive areas, with particular attention to the so-called "movida," a frequent site of petty crime and urban decay.

Since last Thursday evening and until last night, law enforcement has maintained a constant and widespread presence across a large stretch of the historic center, focusing primarily on the areas of Vucciria, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Via Roma, Piazza San Domenico, Via Argenteria, Via Paterna, Piazza Caracciolo, and along the roads of Via Maccheronai, Descent dei Giudici, Via Lattarini, Descent Caracciolo, Via Gorizia, Via Cagliari, Piazza Rivoluzione, and Via Garibaldi.

Urban security and crime prevention

The goal is to strengthen urban policing to combat violence related to social distress and prevent illegal behaviors that, if not stopped in their tracks, risk escalating. The contribution of the Western Sicily Crime Prevention Unit crews, deployed for active street patrol, has been crucial.

Patrols tightly monitored people and vehicles, through checkpoints placed at the most critical points of the city. The repressive and preventive action focused not only on enforcing the Highway Code, but also on combating predatory crimes and assaults, often linked to the illegal use of cars and motorcycles.

Administrative checks and regular nightlife

Another area of intervention was illegal commercial activity, the subject of administrative investigations aimed at protecting both the proper operation of public activities and the right of patrons to safely enjoy the city's nightlife. In this regard, four businesses were inspected over the weekend, without finding any irregularities.

The results of the operation

Overall, 855 people were identified during the operations, 132 of whom had a criminal record. 112 vehicles were checked and traffic fines were issued totaling €5,223. A vehicle was also administratively seized and a driver's license was withdrawn. A stolen motorcycle was also recovered during the checks.

Concrete response to the request for security

The joint action of law enforcement agencies confirms the institutional commitment to respond quickly, effectively, and in a coordinated manner to the growing demand for security from Palermo's citizens. This daily commitment aims to restore dignity and livability to the city's most vulnerable areas.