by Nina Vaclavikova
Interview: Caterina de Gavardo, Trieste City Councilor for Security Policies; Pierpaolo Roberti, Regional Councilor for Security
The Friuli Venezia Giulia regional government is continuing its investment in private security patrols across larger municipalities, providing €300,000 this year to support surveillance activities in Trieste as part of a broader regional public safety program.
The funding, announced during a joint presentation by regional and municipal officials on Wednesday, supports a team of five licensed security guards who patrol the city every day, including weekends and holidays. Operating in coordination with Trieste’s municipal police, the guards provide foot patrols in some of the city’s busiest and most sensitive public areas, including the waterfront, the historic center, public gardens and several locations that have experienced recurring public safety concerns.
Regional Security Councillor Pierpaolo Roberti said the initiative was introduced in 2019 to strengthen local monitoring through private security services in municipalities with more than 25,000 residents, as well as the tourist destinations of Grado and Lignano Sabbiadoro. He said the program has since been widely adopted by participating municipalities, with Trieste renewing the service for another year.
According to figures released by the City of Trieste, private security personnel submitted around 70 reports to the municipal police between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, nearly double the annual average of 35 to 40 reports recorded during the previous two years.
Regional officials said the initiative forms part of a broader approach to public safety that combines the work of law enforcement with private security personnel. Similar measures have also been introduced to place security guards on public transportation and in nightlife districts in cooperation with local chambers of commerce.
The regional government allocates a total of €1 million annually for the program, allowing participating municipalities to tailor patrol schedules to local needs. Officials cited Lignano Sabbiadoro as an example, where security patrols were intensified during the Pentecost holiday period to address public order concerns associated with large numbers of visiting tourists.
Regional officials said they intend to continue expanding the program, describing it as one of several tools aimed at improving public safety while enabling authorities to identify and respond more quickly to incidents reported across participating communities.
