by Guisela Chiarella
In a robust effort to address public safety and prevent violent behavior, Trieste’s Police Commissioner implemented a wave of preventive measures throughout October and November 2024. These included restrictions on access to urban areas, mandatory expulsion orders, and bans on attending sports events, signaling a sharp increase in such measures compared to previous years.
Among the actions taken in the two-month period:
- 26 urban access restrictions,
- 25 formal warnings,
- 9 mandatory expulsion orders, and
- 18 bans on attending sports events, also known as Daspo.
A Year of Intensified Enforcement
The increase is part of a broader trend. Since the start of 2024, Trieste authorities have issued:
- 19 Daspo (6 requiring individuals to report regularly to authorities),
- 57 urban access restrictions (9 extending to all establishments in the province and 8 with mandatory reporting),
- 31 mandatory expulsion orders, and
- 91 oral warnings (28 aggravated by restrictions on weapon possession, and 13 targeting minors).
In comparison, 2023 saw a far lighter enforcement footprint, with only 14 Daspo, 51 urban restrictions, 20 expulsion orders, and 50 oral warnings issued over the entire year.
Targeting Violence at Sports Events
Italy’s approach to curbing violence at sports events is particularly stringent. Violators of Daspo orders face prison terms ranging from one to three years and fines of up to €40,000. These bans can even apply to minors aged 14 to 18, with notifications served to their legal guardians.
The focus on preventing sports-related violence stems from the Italian government’s commitment to ensuring safety in public venues. As enshrined in Article 6 of Law No. 401/1998, those deemed prone to violent behavior or unable to control their emotions are barred from attending matches or entering sports venues in any capacity.
Tougher Restrictions in Urban Areas
Urban access restrictions (Dacur) have also been tightened. Seven orders issued recently were aggravated, prohibiting individuals from entering any public establishments in the province between 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM for an entire year. Violations carry penalties of up to three years in prison and fines as high as €24,000.
Mandatory Expulsions and Warnings
Mandatory expulsion orders, another key tool in the Commissioner’s arsenal, require individuals deemed dangerous to public safety to leave the municipality within 48 hours. Return is prohibited without prior authorization for six months to four years, with violators facing up to 18 months in prison.
Meanwhile, oral warnings serve as a cautionary measure. These alerts, issued to individuals considered socially dangerous, escalate in severity when aggravated, prohibiting possession of weapons, encryption tools, pyrotechnics, or even ballistic protective gear.
A Delicate Balance
Critics argue that the increased use of these measures risks disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups, such as minors and individuals struggling with social integration. However, authorities maintain that these actions are necessary to prevent violence and ensure the safety of the public.
Interview: Pietro Ostuni, Trieste’s chief police commissioner
