With the arrival of summer, a period traditionally associated with increased risk of arson and waste fires, the Italian government is strengthening its response to the problem in the Land of Fires. The Prefectures of Naples and Caserta have developed a special operational plan involving all 90 municipalities within the area affected by illegal dumping and toxic fires. The aim is to intensify prevention efforts and improve coordination among all forces involved in the area.

The initiative, promoted by the Prefect of Naples, Michele di Bari, and the Prefect of Caserta, Lucia Volpe, aims to ensure a more widespread presence in the areas considered most at risk, also leveraging the extraordinary resources allocated by the Ministry of the Interior.

Two million euros to strengthen controls

The plan will be supported by €2 million from the Single Justice Fund, earmarked for municipalities to carry out summer activities to prevent and combat environmental crimes.

The operational guidelines were defined during two meetings held in the Prefectures of Caserta and Naples, attended by the commanders of the local police forces, representatives of the law enforcement agencies, the Carabinieri Forestali, the Guardia di Finanza, the Provincial Police, the Fire Brigade, and the Army, engaged in the "Strade Sicure" operation with the Lancieri di Aosta regiment.

The goal is to create a single, coordinated intervention system among all the entities involved, also overcoming the critical issues that often arise in border areas between municipalities.

More patrols, microcameras and video surveillance

The new device provides for a significant strengthening of controls on the territory through targeted patrols in the

Particular attention will be paid to sites already remediated or affected by repeated episodes of waste abandonment, where microcameras will be installed and photo traps and video surveillance systems will be used in coordination with other police forces.

Checks will also be intensified on suspicious vehicles, especially during the most sensitive time slots, to intercept illegal waste transportation and the activities of illegal cellar clearers.

A control room active day and night

A central element of the plan is the joint control room, operational 24 hours a day at the Regional Command of the Carabinieri Forestali.

The facility, recently strengthened with the permanent presence of the Fire Brigade, will allow for real-time collection of reports from the area and coordination of interventions to quickly locate fires and limit their spread.

The continuous exchange of information between municipalities, police forces, and the operations room should allow for a more timely response to spills and fires.

Technology and databases against environmental crimes

The plan also focuses on the digitalization of enforcement activities. Local police officers will be equipped with IT tools and applications that will allow them to consult the databases of the Environmental Managers Register, ARPAC, and SMA Campania to verify authorized vehicles, monitor the presence of miasmas, and update real-time mapping of fires, illegal dumping, cleanups, and removals.

The goal is to build a constantly updated georeferenced map of illegal activities, allowing for increasingly targeted controls and improved prevention efforts.