“Attenzione, Pickpocket!” This phrase became popular on TikTok in July. Its recognizable voice belongs to Monica Poli, a 57-year-old who spends her free time trying to catch pickpockets. You might have also heard of Cittadini Non Distratti, an Italian organization ran by Poli. Their name translates to “Undistracted Citizens.”
Cittadini Non Distratti is an anti-pickpocketing group that catches pickpockets on video. They share their videos online to raise awareness for tourists, and to the local police departments to curb the increase in these thefts.
“We want to protect all of the tourists and let them know what is happening in Italy,” Poli explained in an interview with The Washington Post.
Poli and her groups’ effort has caused a notable decrease in pickpockets in Europe. Even though not all the pickpockets have been caught, the decrease in the amount of them has been noticed by people all around the world.
Usually, pickpockets look for distracted and unaware travelers.
“I always carry my bag crossbody, never leave it sitting on or hanging off a chair out of my line of sight,” Maria Pasquale, a travel journalist and author from Rome said.
Thieves are always looking for expensive items like cameras, expensive bags, phones, or jewelry inside bags that are easier to rob.
Travel experts recommend money belts and belt bags that can be worn underneath clothing to protect from these attacks. Additionally, a bag that can zip shut and anti-theft bags will also protect travelers from getting pickpocketed.
In additon, tourists who store their luggage in the overhead compartment on the train are targeted by thieves.
“Once they reach their destination, they find themselves without luggage, wallets, mobile phones,” Lazza Ramo, a pickpocket watcher in Milan said.
Pickpockets almost never get violent when they’re called out; they usually run. But in Poli’s unlikely case, she was attacked by four women who were stealing from a tourist. This incident left her with some severe injuries to her neck.
“It was four years ago,” she explained. “They pushed me back, but I continued to do the same thing. I don’t care. You are in Italy. You must respect the tourists.”
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/attenzione-pickpocket-meme-videos-catch-thief/
Cittadini Non Distratti is an anti-pickpocketing group that catches pickpockets on video. They share their videos online to raise awareness for tourists, and to the local police departments to curb the increase in these thefts.
“We want to protect all of the tourists and let them know what is happening in Italy,” Poli explained in an interview with The Washington Post.
Poli and her groups’ effort has caused a notable decrease in pickpockets in Europe. Even though not all the pickpockets have been caught, the decrease in the amount of them has been noticed by people all around the world.
Usually, pickpockets look for distracted and unaware travelers.
“I always carry my bag crossbody, never leave it sitting on or hanging off a chair out of my line of sight,” Maria Pasquale, a travel journalist and author from Rome said.
Thieves are always looking for expensive items like cameras, expensive bags, phones, or jewelry inside bags that are easier to rob.
Travel experts recommend money belts and belt bags that can be worn underneath clothing to protect from these attacks. Additionally, a bag that can zip shut and anti-theft bags will also protect travelers from getting pickpocketed.
In additon, tourists who store their luggage in the overhead compartment on the train are targeted by thieves.
“Once they reach their destination, they find themselves without luggage, wallets, mobile phones,” Lazza Ramo, a pickpocket watcher in Milan said.
Pickpockets almost never get violent when they’re called out; they usually run. But in Poli’s unlikely case, she was attacked by four women who were stealing from a tourist. This incident left her with some severe injuries to her neck.
“It was four years ago,” she explained. “They pushed me back, but I continued to do the same thing. I don’t care. You are in Italy. You must respect the tourists.”
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/attenzione-pickpocket-meme-videos-catch-thief/
