Fourteen municipalities, as many mayors or their councilors. For the first time, all gathered around one table to work together on a crucial issue: the safety of residents, which cannot be guaranteed by individual authorities.

This message emerged from the meeting held yesterday in the council chamber of the Municipality of Sestu. The meeting was attended by representatives of the municipalities of Assemini (Mario Puddu), Capoterra (Beniamino Garau), Decimomannu (Monica Cadeddu), Elmas (Maria Laura Orrù), Maracalagonis, Monastir (Paola Ugas), Monserrato (Tomaso Locci), Quartu Sant'Elena (Councilor Rossana Perra), Quartucciu (Pietro Pisu), San Sperate (Councilor Germana Cocco), Selargius (Gigi Concu), Sestu (Michele Cossa), Settimo San Pietro (Gigi Puddu), and Sinnai (Barbara Pusceddu), the latter also representing the Metropolitan City.

Theft, vandalism, drug dealing, urban decay, uncontrolled waste disposal, and illegal activity in the countryside: these are problems that affect all areas, albeit with varying degrees of severity, and require coordinated responses. Particular concern, according to a statement, " has been expressed about the growing involvement of very young people, in some cases as young as eleven or twelve, in episodes of deviance and petty crime."

The situation is further complicated by the severe shortage of local police personnel. Municipalities have limited staffing, making it extremely difficult to ensure adequate surveillance of the territory, especially during the evening and night hours.

The situation at the Monastir migrant center was also addressed, whose critical issues have a significant impact on neighboring municipalities and necessitate strengthening controls and ensuring greater security. This issue, the meeting noted, requires a coordinated response and cannot be left to the individual municipalities involved.

Citizens demand safety and deserve concrete answers. But we can't continue to think that each municipality must address problems that affect the entire territory on its own. Public safety is a primary responsibility of the state, but mayors are the citizens' first point of contact. We don't want to limit ourselves to reporting difficulties or demanding more controls: we want to do our part, pooling resources, expertise, and operational capacity. Today's meeting marks the beginning of a shared journey.

The comparison highlighted some operational priorities:

  • Strengthen local police forces by requesting dedicated resources from the Region and the State and reviewing the restrictions on hiring, also considering the possibility of a single competitive exam among the municipalities in the area.
  • Network local police forces, developing forms of intermunicipal collaboration that allow for better use of available personnel and the gradual expansion of enforcement services, including at night.
  • Invest in prevention, especially among young people, by strengthening collaboration between schools, families, social services, and sports clubs. Security isn't built solely through repression, but also by combating hardship and creating opportunities for growth and social inclusion.
  • Sign a memorandum of understanding between the Municipalities and the Metropolitan City to ensure continuity of coordination and establish a stable dialogue with the Prefecture and law enforcement agencies, while fully respecting their respective responsibilities.

The work of law enforcement is essential and deserves maximum support. However, we ask that municipalities be empowered to effectively perform their role. It's paradoxical that, while security needs are growing, many administrations aren't even able to organize an evening local police service. This absurdity must be overcome.

The meeting also highlighted the shared belief that security is not just a matter of public order but an essential condition for the quality of life, personal freedom, and the livability of communities. Therefore, land control policies must be accompanied by social prevention measures, the maintenance of public spaces, and the fight against degradation.

This discussion won't be an isolated initiative. The mayors will meet again in the coming weeks to define the first joint actions.

"Today we have taken an important first step: we have decided to jointly address a problem that concerns us all. Now we must transform this resolve into concrete initiatives," is the shared intent, "because citizens don't need declarations of principle , but institutions capable of collaborating and providing answers."

(Unioneonline)

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