Tensions are rising in Sassari's historic center after a series of brawls broke out in San Donato and surrounding streets. "It's a daily occurrence now," say residents, who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity.

"We're scared," they explain. "If we expose ourselves, we could be the next targets." For now, however, the clashes are between immigrants and "locals," they say, over drugs. "Yesterday, there were fights and two people fell to the ground. One was hit by a bottle."

Perhaps a punitive raid, lasting a few minutes, episodes that are now repeated every night. "They go on until 5 in the morning. Screams, people running away." Yesterday the police weren't called, two days ago they were. "We're resigned. In addition to the fights, there are thefts, from cars and homes. Even clothes hanging out to dry are stolen."

The solution is: "Barricade ourselves. Put up iron gates and reinforced doors ." The sense of impotence grows. " They hide the drug bags in flowerpots . What should we do? We can't know how they'll react if we tell them something."

Residents feel cornered. "Drug trafficking has increased; we can see it right before our eyes." They're demanding tighter controls, a plea they've made on many other occasions: "We'd love for people to come here even in the middle of the night. To experience what we experience."

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