interviews: Maximiliano Crocamo
For decades, Trieste has enjoyed a reputation that many European cities envy: a place where children walk to school alone, elderly residents stroll home after dark, and forgotten wallets often find their way back to their owners.
But a recent surge in youth-related crime has prompted an uncomfortable question across this Adriatic city: Is Trieste still the safe haven it has long claimed to be?
In recent months, reports of so-called baby gangs — groups of teenagers involved in assaults, robberies and acts of vandalism — have dominated local headlines and fueled heated discussions on social media. While officials insist that Trieste remains among Italy’s safest urban centers, the visibility of these incidents has left many residents wondering whether something is changing beneath the city’s famously tranquil surface.
To find out, we took to the streets and spoke with locals, business owners and public officials.
“I still feel safe, absolutely,” said Maria, a retiree enjoying an afternoon walk along the waterfront. “But I admit that when I read about these episodes involving very young people, it worries me. Twenty years ago, these stories were rare.”
Others echoed a similar sentiment: confidence mixed with caution.
“Compared with other cities, Trieste is incredibly safe,” said Andrea, a university student. “I regularly walk home late at night without problems. But there is definitely more talk about aggressive behavior among teenagers than there used to be.”
For some residents, perception may be as important as reality.
“When people hear about one robbery or one fight, videos spread online immediately,” said a café owner in the city center. “Everyone sees it within minutes. That creates the impression that crime is everywhere, even if statistically it might not be.”
Officials acknowledge public concern but urge residents to keep the broader picture in mind.
According to local authorities, Trieste continues to register crime levels significantly lower than many comparable Italian cities. Police presence has been increased in areas where groups of young people tend to gather, while schools and social services have been involved in prevention programs aimed at addressing youth delinquency before it escalates.
“The episodes involving minors are taken very seriously,” one local official said. “But it would be incorrect to describe Trieste as an unsafe city. The vast majority of young people are not involved in criminal behavior.”
Experts point to a range of factors behind the phenomenon, including social media influence, post-pandemic social disruption and a growing tendency among teenagers to seek visibility through provocative behavior.
Yet for many residents, statistics offer only partial reassurance.
Parents, in particular, say they are paying closer attention to where their children spend their evenings.
“You cannot ignore what is happening,” said Luca, father of two teenagers. “I am not afraid to let my children go out, but I speak with them more often about where they are and who they are with.”
As evening falls, the city’s elegant piazzas remain busy. Families gather for aperitivo, tourists photograph the sunset over the Gulf of Trieste, and joggers trace the shoreline. Life appears largely unchanged.
That may explain why most residents ultimately arrive at the same conclusion: Trieste remains a remarkably safe city — but one that is no longer taking that reputation for granted.
The recent incidents have served as a reminder that even places long considered immune to urban insecurity are not untouched by broader social trends. Whether the rise in youth crime represents a temporary spike or a more lasting challenge remains to be seen.
For now, Trieste continues to balance two realities: a city that is still widely regarded as one of Italy’s safest, and a community increasingly determined to ensure it stays that way.
