Outcry as Italy to use soldiers in cities
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ROME — The government Saturday defended its decision to use soldiers to patrol cities in an effort to curb crime, rejecting criticism that the move would “militarize” the streets.
“There is a strong call from citizens for better control of the streets, for improved safety,” Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa told Sky Italia TV.
The government announced Friday that as many as 2,500 soldiers, some of whom have served in Afghanistan and Kosovo, would be made available for a trial period of six months to bolster the police in difficult urban areas.
Silvio Berlusconi’s new government was elected in April on a law-and-order ticket.
Roberta Pinotti, of the Democratic Party, expressed “firm opposition to the militarization of the streets.”
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