louise

WE will be in Lake Cumo then driving to Udine and later to venice. I have read alot about how bad crime has been in Italy. Does anyone have any ideas how to make the trip safer. I am from NYC so i am not totally ignorant about crime prevention, but want to know how safe is it really.

Helen

Dear Louise - I have been in that region of Italy during October 2001 - also in Rome, Florence and Assisi etc. Well, coming from South Africa, it felt like walking around in heaven! Maybe I am not one to give my opinion, but I think it is so safe as can be. Have also been to NYC 2 years ago, and I really do not think it's less safe in Italy! Just take care as you are used doing, and enjoy Italy! Regards - Helen

xxxx

The most important thing to watch will be acar if you rent one. They make you take out some pretty good insurance, but you can upgrade even that. I always do.<BR><BR>Just remember, in Italy guns are illegal to own privately. The crimes that do occur there tend to be less violent than the US because of this fact. I get this information from a friend who is an Italian citizen, so I think it's reliable. Petty theft is probably the worst you will see, which is not good, but better than mugging at gunpoint. Since NY has cleaned up it's act so much in the last few years, you will probably feel at home.

wondering

Not to re-hash morbid stories...but where in Italy was the child (I think American) shot and killed in the parents car, on the road, because of mistaken identity of the car? It was supposedly a mob hit. The parents then donated the child's organs. Does anyone remember this story? Are there areas in Italy that are known for organized crime?

x

It was in Calabria. The little boy was Nicholas Green. You can do a web search, there is a web site, as his father wrote a book about what happened.

Laura

I lived in southern Italy for three years and I can tell you, I always felt very safe there. Yes, there is crime; but it's not the kind we as Americans are used to. Rapes are practically unheard of as is child molestation. One child I remember was kidnapped and citizens in cities across the country hung linens outside their windows in protest. There is much stealing, however, by young men on mopeds that zip by snatching your purse or jewelry and by the gypsy children that distract you. And personally, I lived in an "organized crime" area and would do so again.

Jean

Historically, crime levels in Northern Italy have been lower than in Southern Italy. The only place I've ever felt the slightest insecure about was Naples. Daytime was fine, but we took particular care in the evening. Nothing happened to us, but other Americans we met told stories of aggressive pickpockets and some anti-American statements.