Page 372 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Rome

370  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Personal Security and Health Thefts from cars are also rife.
Jackets or bags should never be
On the whole, Rome is a safe, unthreatening place left visible inside a car parked
for visitors, but petty street crime is a problem. Do on Rome’s streets. Do not carry
not carry more money than needed for the day, and luggage on a roof rack. The
leave other valuables or documents in a hotel safe. streets to the east and south of
Termini station are well-known
Cameras are less likely to be snatched if they are for prostitution and drug-
in a shopping bag rather than an obvious case. peddling, and are seedy at night.
Take particular care in crowded places, such as train Women traveling alone (or
stations, or on full buses, and steer clear of bands even in small groups) may
of innocent-looking children – they may be skillful need to take extra care. Women
without male escorts attract
professional pickpockets.
more attention than they do
in much of the rest of Europe
find a member of the vigili and North America.
urbani on the streets or have Beware of unauthorized
the Comune put you through minicab drivers who are probably
to them by calling 06-0606. not insured and frequently
overcharge. They operate in
particular at the airport and
What to Be Aware of Termini station, waiting to profit
Be wary of bag-snatchers on from new arrivals. Hotel touts
mopeds who operate on quiet and unofficial tour guides are
streets. Carry your bag at your also best avoided; instead, stick
side away from the road, or to the official tourist agencies
carry a discreet money belt (see p297 and p369).
Carabinieri in dress uniform or a securely fastened, long-
strapped shoulder bag across
Police In an Emergency
your body. Equipment like
There are several different video cameras should be For emergency phone numbers,
police forces in Rome. The disguised. Pickpockets see the Directory. For other
polizia (state police) wear blue (sometimes children) adopt medical attention, contact
uniforms with white belts and highly sophisticated distraction the First Aid (Pronto Soccorso)
berets. They deal with all kinds techniques with pieces of paper department of a major hospital
of crimes and are the ones who or newspaper while they part such as Policlinico Umberto I, or
issue permessi di soggiorno you from your possessions in Ospedale di Santo Spirito, or
(residence permits) to foreigners seconds. Take extra care of your check the Yellow Pages (Pagine
and passports to Italian citizens valuables in marketplaces or on Gialle) for a doctor (medico) or
(see p366). public transportation. Bus routes dentist (dentista). For children, the
The vigili urbani (municipal 40 and 64, which run between Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino
police) wear blue uniforms in Termini station and the Vatican, Gesù is renowned. Emergency
winter and white in summer, are notorious for care in public hospitals is free,
and can issue heavy fines for pickpockets. even for foreigners.
traffic and parking violations.
They can usually be seen
patrolling the streets, enforcing
laws or regulating traffic.
The carabinieri (military police)
wear pants with a red stripe.
They deal with everything from
fine-art theft to speeding tickets.
The guardia di finanza are
the tax police and wear gray
uniforms. They deal with tax
evasion and with customs;
you will see them at the
airport, behind the “goods to
declare” counter.
To report stolen or lost items,
go to the nearest police station
(questura) or carabinieri office. If
you believe your car may have Municipal police officer Poliziotto – a member Carabiniere – a member
been towed away, you should directing traffic of the state police of the military police

US_370-371_EW_Rome_US.indd 370 15/03/17 4:22 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.1)
Date 13th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm