In Pollena Trocchia, Carabinieri officers from the Cercola station are conducting checks near a betting shop on Via Massa. Among the youths hanging around the area, two in particular attract the police's attention. They are 14 and 13 years old, respectively, and as soon as they notice the Carabinieri, they try to run away.
The military stopped them and proceeded to search them. A 14-centimeter switchblade was found in the pockets of the 22-year-old, but it was the 13-year-old who surprised the police: he had a cleaver 27 centimeters long kitchen.
“We have to defend ourselves, you never know” is the justification of the boys, then reported and entrusted to their parents, incredulous and mortified by what happened.
This episode is only the latest in a series that features very young armed people, with the Carabinieri of the Torre del Greco company always vigilant on youth dynamics, as indicated by the provincial command of Naples. A few days ago, in fact, a 16-year-old was found with a butterfly knife in Corso Umberto I in Torre del Greco. The knife, casually carried in plain sight from his pocket, seems to be more a symbol of strength than a weapon, often used to hide deep insecurities.
In Volla, just a few nights ago, the Carabinieri reported a 17-year-old for dealing and carrying weapons: stopped in Via De Filippo, he was found with 5 grams of hashish and a switchblade, justifying himself with "the area is not safe, it is better to go around armed."
They are young people who do not know each other and, in most cases, children of “normal” people. Yet, they share a sense of insecurity that a blade, or even a cleaver, can never truly fill.
Worrying situations that demonstrate the need for greater control and support for young people.