We are pleased to welcome to commune of Sassari as one of Efus’ newest members. With a population of 120,000, this town situated in the north of Sardinia is the island’s second largest. It has a rich cultural heritage, but is grappling with depopulation. We’ve met with Commander Gianni Serra of the local police.
What are the main urban security issues affecting the commune of Sassari?
Commander Gianni Serra (GS): The main problems are related to urban decay and perceptions of insecurity among the population, especially in certain areas of the historic centre. Over the past decades, the number of permanent residents has gone down, and they have been replaced by communities that are not always integrated into the fabric of the city. The loss of local businesses and places for socialising has affected the sense of belonging and liveability, reducing the opportunities for residents to establish community and neighbourhood relationships.
Added to this are environmental offences, ranging from littering, which may seem trivial but in reality arouses much indignation among the population, to more serious environmental crimes, which are dealt with by our specialised Environmental Police unit. These phenomena generate a vicious circle: visible degradation, a perception of insecurity and the progressive departure of citizens from the historic centre.
What are the municipality’s priorities in terms of urban security?
GS: The top priority is the redevelopment of the historic centre, both from an urban and social point of view. This means investing in infrastructure (carriage ways, public lighting, street furniture), upgrading the video surveillance system and creating spaces and services that encourage socialising.
“Our aim is not only to push back against urban decay, but also to restore the historic centre as a safe, lively and attractive place.”
The municipal council is focusing on an integrated strategy that includes:
- reactivating public spaces with cultural events and initiatives;
- supporting new commercial and crafts activities;
- establishing public administration offices in sensitive areas to boost the institutional presence;
- raising community awareness of the value of the historic centre as a common good, promoting its daily use.
The aim is not only to push back against urban decay, but also to restore the historic centre as a safe, lively and attractive place.
What projects are you working on that would be of interest for other Efus and FISU members?
GS: The main projects on which we are currently working concern:
- strengthening of the local police force with units specialising in urban and environmental security;
- increasing our use of technological control systems (smart CCTV, urban sensors);
- searching for European, national and regional funding to support urban regeneration and prevent social hardship.
Our commitment is to create a security model that is not based solely on control, but on integrated projects that can restore trust among citizens and improve quality of life.
What do you expect from joining Efus and the Italian Forum for Urban Security (FISU) ?
GS: First and foremost, we expect to exchange inspiring practices with other organisations that face similar challenges. This will enable us to enrich our local policies with successful experiences that have already been tested elsewhere.
Sassari can contribute by sharing its experience gained in a complex territory:
- a historic centre facing critical issues of depopulation and degradation, but also with strong potential for regeneration;
- a local police force engaged on several fronts, from road safety to the environment and the management of civil coexistence;
- an administration that believes in security as a collective good to be built through urban, social and cultural interventions, as well as repressive measures.
We believe that our experience can make a useful contribution to the European debate: urban security is never just a matter of public order. It relies on a balance between control, social inclusion and the quality of urban space.
Top photo: Piazza d’Italia in Sassari – © iStock Gabriele Maltinti
