Naples – "My daughter suffered terrible violence, but three angels saved her." Thus begins the message posted on social media by the mother of the young woman attacked on the night between Friday and Saturday at Porta Capuana, in the heart of Naples' historic center.
A post full of pain but also of gratitude towards those who, in those dramatic moments, did not look the other way.
The mother's story
The woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, wanted to publicly thank three people: a French tourist, two State Police officers and a civil servant. Police Headquartersof Medina Street.
"Alice, a French girl with blond curls, bravely intervened in the fight," her mother writes. "She called the police, accompanied my daughter to the ambulance, and stayed by her side during the investigation. Then she waited for me to arrive."
A gesture of altruism which also moved the officers of Flying Squad 6, who immediately rushed to the scene after the tourist's call.
"I thank them from the bottom of my heart," the woman continues. "They supported my daughter for hours, with humanity and sensitivity. And thanks also to the doctor at the police station who welcomed us with respect and sensitivity. I will never forget their help."
The young woman was rescued and taken to the hospital, where she received initial treatment. The Naples Police Headquarters' Flying Squad is investigating the incident, combing through surveillance camera footage in the area to identify the attacker.
A neighborhood on its last legs
The incident occurred in one of the city's most sensitive areas, Porta Capuana, which has long been in the news for its degradation, petty crime, and neglect.
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Friday night's violence reignited the anger of residents and business owners, who for months have been calling for more security and better street lighting in the neighborhood.
"Here, the night is a no-man's land," says Carmine, owner of a pizzeria on Via Carbonara. "Between drug dealing, fights, and robberies, we live in fear. Occasional patrols aren't enough: we need a constant police presence."
Rosa, who runs a small clothing store, agrees: "Every day we witness scenes of decay. It's unacceptable that a historic area, just steps from the Duomo, has become a haven for homeless people and criminals."
The security alarm
The violence at Porta Capuana adds to a long string of incidents that have rocked the historic center in recent months: assaults, robberies, and thefts, but also the return of youth gangs competing for drug dealing locations.
Just a few weeks ago, a group of shopkeepers launched a petition addressed to the prefect of Naples, calling for an extraordinary surveillance and video surveillance plan.
"We can't wait for a tragedy to happen before we intervene," said a representative of the "Commercianti Uniti di Porta Capuana" association. "Families, tourists, and students live here. Every night, after a certain hour, even returning home becomes dangerous."
The open wound of urban decay
Porta Capuana, a historic symbol of ancient Naples, is today an area where the vitality of popular markets coexists with the abandonment of institutions.
The former courthouse, the dilapidated buildings, the squares occupied by the homeless and drug dealers are the sign of a neighborhood crying out for redemption but continuing to sink into decay.
Friday night's attack isn't just a crime story, but yet another wake-up call about a situation that risks becoming a free-for-all in the heart of the city.
Waiting for justice
"I hope justice takes its course," concludes the victim's mother, "but in the meantime, I want the gesture of those three angels not to be forgotten. In the midst of so much violence, they demonstrated that humanity still exists."
While the investigation continues to identify the perpetrator, the pain of a family and the anger of a neighborhood demanding answers remain.
Comments (1)
I read this article and was deeply moved by this girl's story. It's sad to see such incidents still occurring in downtown Naples. We hope the authorities take stronger measures to ensure safety.