In response to the strengthening of security measures following terrorist attacks in France, Attilio Visconti has filed requests for metal detectors in piazza dei Miracoli. “We have asked the Opera Primaziale of Pisa – explained the prefect of police – to draft a feasible plan of installing metal detectors at the entrances of the Leaning Tower, and we are confident we will be receiving a reply within a reasonable amount of time.”
Other at risk areas
During the conference director Gianfranco Bernabei listed potential target areas that will need to be addressed; these include: the Leaning Tower, the synagogue, the airport and the nearby military base Camp Darby. Each of these will be paid due attention with constant police observation, while areas that have been determined to be more heavily trafficked will be overseen by agents wearing bulletproof gear. He concluded by reassuring that ‘as of now there is no reason to be alarmed, we just want to guarantee adequate vigilance and prevention methods.’
The Florentine Prefecture
The intensification of security measures is already underway in sensitive areas such as cultural destinations, newsrooms and diplomatic offices. These matters were discussed in a briefing of the prefecture, after the head of the police department recommended heightening the security of the national territory following the events in France.
‘No need to be alarmed’
‘There are no reasons that would currently justify an alarming situation relative to the best few days – Florentine prefect of police Luigi Varratta stated – however I wanted to meet the highest expectations of the police force regarding further reinforcing of security measures.’ He then goes on to specify that security will be heightened at what are considered ‘sensitive targets’ around Florence: any sites dedicated to Christian, Islamic or Jewish religion, newsrooms and diplomatic buildings. The head of police also spoke briefly about paying particular attention to schools and cultural centers, using the resources they currently have at their disposal.
