Tweet
Who would have thought this would happen in the birthplace of Vespa and Piaggio!!!
NAPLES, Italy (Reuters) - If you can't beat them, ban their getaway vehicles.
So goes the logic of the latest attempt to curb crime in the southern Italian city of Naples -- a scooter ban to aid police chasing common crooks who famously rob pedestrians and speed away through the historic center's narrow alleyways.
"Our goal is to give tourists and citizens more security," said Nicola Oddati, Naples' counselor on traffic.
From Tuesday, non-residents of the picturesque but often unruly area will be required to either leave their scooters behind, or walk them through the historic center, motors off. Sanctions include a fine of about 35 euros ($45) and possible confiscation of the vehicle.
In the past, authorities have outlawed selling certain types of knives to curb violent theft in the city, the center of an area whose unemployment rate is among the highest in Europe.
NAPLES, Italy (Reuters) - If you can't beat them, ban their getaway vehicles.
So goes the logic of the latest attempt to curb crime in the southern Italian city of Naples -- a scooter ban to aid police chasing common crooks who famously rob pedestrians and speed away through the historic center's narrow alleyways.
"Our goal is to give tourists and citizens more security," said Nicola Oddati, Naples' counselor on traffic.
From Tuesday, non-residents of the picturesque but often unruly area will be required to either leave their scooters behind, or walk them through the historic center, motors off. Sanctions include a fine of about 35 euros ($45) and possible confiscation of the vehicle.
In the past, authorities have outlawed selling certain types of knives to curb violent theft in the city, the center of an area whose unemployment rate is among the highest in Europe.