by Guisela Chiarella
Interview: Caterina De Gavardo, Trieste’s Councilor for Public Security
In a bid to boost public safety and deepen community trust in law enforcement, the city of Trieste has launched a new pilot program that brings police officers directly into the heart of local neighborhoods.
Dubbed Progetto Rioni Sicuri — or the Safe Neighborhoods Project — the initiative was rolled out Saturday, May 17, with the debut of mobile police stations in the densely populated districts of San Giacomo and San Vito.
Led by Trieste’s Local Police and its Nucleo Polizia di Prossimità (Proximity Policing Unit), the program will see officers setting up temporary stations twice a week in four key neighborhoods, offering residents a direct line to law enforcement in their own backyards.
The initiative’s kickoff event at Campo San Giacomo drew a crowd of curious locals and was attended by Caterina de Gavardo, Trieste’s Councillor for Urban Security, and Walter Milocchi, Commander of the Local Police. In an interview with InTrieste, de Gavardo emphasized the importance of community-oriented policing as a long-term investment in civic cohesion.
“Proximity policing isn’t just about safety,” de Gavardo said. “It’s about building relationships — knowing your neighbors, being present, listening. This project brings the institution closer to the people, where it belongs.”
Commander Milocchi echoed the sentiment, describing the program as a “preventative and relational” approach to policing that moves beyond traditional enforcement methods.
According to the city’s published schedule, officers will be stationed weekly at the following locations:
Wednesdays
• 9:30–11:00 a.m. — Borgo San Sergio (Piazza XXV Aprile)
• 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. — Valmaura (Piazzale Valmaura)
Saturdays
• 9:30–11:00 a.m. — San Giacomo (Campo San Giacomo)
• 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. — San Vito (Piazzale Rosmini)
The mobile posts are designed to offer both a deterrent to petty crime and a point of contact for everyday concerns, from traffic issues to neighborhood disputes. Residents can speak directly with officers, file reports, or simply share concerns face to face.
While early response from the public appears positive, city officials have not confirmed how long the pilot will run or whether it will be expanded. “We’re starting small, but with ambition,” de Gavardo noted. “Our hope is that this becomes a model for future engagement between citizens and institutions.”
The Progetto Rioni Sicuri is the latest in a series of urban safety measures adopted by Trieste in recent years, reflecting a broader shift across European cities toward more human-centered models of policing — ones that emphasize presence, dialogue, and trust over enforcement alone.
As the program unfolds, officials say they will be closely monitoring outcomes, gathering community feedback, and adapting the initiative to meet the evolving needs of Trieste’s diverse neighborhoods.
