“Attenzione, borseggiatrici! Pickpocket!”
The phrase was used by Monica Poli to warn tourists of pickpockets. Poli is a part of the Cittadini Non Distratti, or Undistracted Citizens. Cittadini Non Distratti is an “anti-pickpocketing group run by volunteers who film and call out thieves,” according to The Washington Post. They would report the pickpockets to the police, and were responsible for a third of pickpocket arrests in Venice.
“We want to protect all of the tourists and let them know what is happening in Italy,” said Poli. She wishes to raise awareness about pickpockets to help tourists visiting Italy.
Pickpockets target distracted travelers with “‘big-ticket valuables’ on display like cameras, designer bags, phones, expensive jewelry or an abundance of shopping bags,” according to The Washington Post.
According to The Washington Post, some pickpockets drape jackets over their arms to cover up hand movements and might wear a “big hat or an open flowy shirt,” according to Gillian Longworth McGuire, a travel writer.
According to Lazza Ramo, another pickpocket “watchdog,” pickpockets often steal luggage stored in overhead bins on trains. Others may take bags off the ground or bags hanging from chairs in restaurants.
A lot of times pickpockets travel in “pairs or groups of three to four,” according to McGuire. Some would “bump into people, drop items in front of your walkway or spill food … to create chaos and distraction. These situations offer an opportunity to catch tourists off-guard,” according to The Washington Post. While the tourist is distracted, pickpockets take items.
To prevent from getting pickpocketed, “tourists should limit the number of items they carry while out shopping, walking or sightseeing,” according to The Washington Post. Carrying less items means having less things to attract the attention of pickpockets.
According to The Washington Post, if you have gotten robbed by a pickpocket, “Travel experts recommend using emergency services to address any threats to safety … Hotel staff can guide tourists to safety resources and field requests to call the proper authorities. Additionally, travelers can contact the embassy of their native country for valuable resources and local assistance.”
Around 4-5 years ago, when Poli called out four girls for pickpocketing they attacked her.
“People stopped to see the action and never helped. It was terrible. I had a neck collar for 20 days,” said Poli.
“They pushed me back,” she said, “but I continued to do the same thing. I don’t care. You are in Italy. You must respect the tourists.”
Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/attenzione-pickpocket-meme-videos-catch-thief/
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/25/style/attenzione-pickpocket.html
The phrase was used by Monica Poli to warn tourists of pickpockets. Poli is a part of the Cittadini Non Distratti, or Undistracted Citizens. Cittadini Non Distratti is an “anti-pickpocketing group run by volunteers who film and call out thieves,” according to The Washington Post. They would report the pickpockets to the police, and were responsible for a third of pickpocket arrests in Venice.
“We want to protect all of the tourists and let them know what is happening in Italy,” said Poli. She wishes to raise awareness about pickpockets to help tourists visiting Italy.
Pickpockets target distracted travelers with “‘big-ticket valuables’ on display like cameras, designer bags, phones, expensive jewelry or an abundance of shopping bags,” according to The Washington Post.
According to The Washington Post, some pickpockets drape jackets over their arms to cover up hand movements and might wear a “big hat or an open flowy shirt,” according to Gillian Longworth McGuire, a travel writer.
According to Lazza Ramo, another pickpocket “watchdog,” pickpockets often steal luggage stored in overhead bins on trains. Others may take bags off the ground or bags hanging from chairs in restaurants.
A lot of times pickpockets travel in “pairs or groups of three to four,” according to McGuire. Some would “bump into people, drop items in front of your walkway or spill food … to create chaos and distraction. These situations offer an opportunity to catch tourists off-guard,” according to The Washington Post. While the tourist is distracted, pickpockets take items.
To prevent from getting pickpocketed, “tourists should limit the number of items they carry while out shopping, walking or sightseeing,” according to The Washington Post. Carrying less items means having less things to attract the attention of pickpockets.
According to The Washington Post, if you have gotten robbed by a pickpocket, “Travel experts recommend using emergency services to address any threats to safety … Hotel staff can guide tourists to safety resources and field requests to call the proper authorities. Additionally, travelers can contact the embassy of their native country for valuable resources and local assistance.”
Around 4-5 years ago, when Poli called out four girls for pickpocketing they attacked her.
“People stopped to see the action and never helped. It was terrible. I had a neck collar for 20 days,” said Poli.
“They pushed me back,” she said, “but I continued to do the same thing. I don’t care. You are in Italy. You must respect the tourists.”
Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/attenzione-pickpocket-meme-videos-catch-thief/
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/25/style/attenzione-pickpocket.html