Naples – Not even the presence of the Army seems to be sufficient deterrent. In Piazza del Plebiscito, a square supposed to be a symbol of civic composure and safety, yet another display of criminal bravado by a group of very young people has taken place.
Under the famous colonnade of the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, a juvenile gang started a fire in broad daylight, operating just meters from a military patrol engaged in guarding the area.
The fire under the columns and the intervention of the military
The event was captured on the cell phone of a stunned resident who witnessed the scene while crossing the square. In the video, sent to Green-Left MP Francesco Emilio Borrelli, the children can be seen casually fanning the flames right next to the historic columns.
The military intervened immediately: they rushed toward the group to stop the vandalism and put out the fire before the flames could further damage the architectural heritage or pose a danger to passersby. However, what is frightening is the very audacity of the minors, who continued to manage the fire despite their uniforms being within view.
Borrelli's complaint: "They feel untouchable."
The episode has rekindled the debate on urban safety and the management of youth crime in Naples. "What we see in this video is yet another demonstration of an increasingly dangerous trend among young people growing up in environments rife with crime," stated Francesco Emilio Borrelli.
According to the MP, the problem lies in a deep sense of impunity that pervades the new generations:
"Young people commit serious and reckless acts, even under the watchful eye of the military, because they feel untouchable. Youth crime is now out of control, and we can't continue to underestimate it. We can't allow entire generations to grow up thinking that anything goes."
A social emergency as well as a public order one
The Piazza del Plebiscito incident is just the latest in a long string of acts of vandalism and bullying involving minors, often from difficult family contexts or lacking positive role models. This direct challenge to the authorities signals a breakdown in civic bonds that, according to Borrelli, requires not only repressive but also structural interventions to prevent the city from becoming hostage to those who no longer recognize any rules.
It seems worrying to me, but I'm not sure how to intervene. The kids set fire near the columns; the military was there, but they couldn't stop them immediately. The problem is also social, and we need more prevention, schools, support for families, and more coordinated controls.