Theft, drugs and general insecurity bring residents to the streets: “We need a permanent police station, people live in fear”

PISA. “The neighborhood is ours”. The inhabitants of via Cattaneo a Pisa.

They took to the streets yesterday afternoon to send a loud and clear message to those who have made the neighborhood a place of drug dealing and violence. A peaceful manifestation of those who experience first hand the degradation of the area.

«I was born here, in ’39. There has never been a massacre at these levels. We want this road to be as splendid as it once was – says the lady Paola Gianfaldoni Talisi -. After Corso Italia this was the showcase of Pisa. It was full of fine artisan shops, groceries, bars and restaurants. Neighborhood parties were organized every year. Now it’s all over, we are abandoned. We can’t take it anymore. But let’s not give up ».

A lot of willpower and not wanting to give up in the face of an increasingly unsustainable situation. Damage to shops, broken windows with manholes, theft, vandalism and drug dealing. It is above all against drugs that the protesters are lashing out.

““ We want to tell the sellers of death – that’s what he calls them Niko Pasculli, the president of the Porta Fiorentina Association, promoter of the event together with the “Sguardo di vicinato” association coordinated by Alessandra Orlanza – that we are here and will continue to be there, despite everything ».

Confcommercio was also present. «The situation has become unthinkable. We support all honest businesses in the area, business owners and citizens. Via Carlo Cattaneo, called il Portone – like this Donatella Fontanelli – was a real commercial axis and must go back to being one. Security and controls are needed. We cannot allow business to close because they can no longer move forward and live in fear. From being a flagship, it risks becoming a ghetto area ».

“We can no longer put a vase of flowers in front of the house or the shop, because it is then used to put drugs – he adds Carmen Magaldi, owner of a parapharmacy in the area.

“Not to mention the thefts. In a few months they have already joined my business twice. And fights. In the evening it is also dangerous to walk on the street ».

The closeness and support comes from all over the city. The Magistrature del Gioco del Ponte, the nautical section of the fire brigade and the trade associations parade. “My daughter has a shop here and she has to work with pepper spray in her bag, that’s not possible – like that Leonardo Sbrana, president of the Ponte di Mezzo association -. A fixed supervision must be set up and checks 24 hours a day ».

“Drugs, dealing, alcohol abuse is a problem that affects the whole city. We must create a synergistic plan that involves political institutions, the bodies responsible for security but above all schools and universities – highlights Francesco Pozzi president of the Santa Maria district – to start awareness and prevention campaigns. As long as there is demand for these substances, it will be difficult to find a solution. The question must be addressed at the root ».

“Ours is not an attack on the institutions or the police with whom we have a continuous dialogue. Today’s demonstration is aimed at those who think they have the neighborhood in their hands and can do whatever they want with it – emphasizes Pasculli -. We are here to tell him that this is not the case and that we do not move ».