Italy 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report: Milan This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Consulate General in Milan. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in northern Italy. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s Italy country page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password. Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State at the date of this report’s publication advises reconsidering travel to Italy due to a recent outbreak of COVID-19. However, the Travel Advisory in effect prior to the outbreak assessed Italy at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution in Italy due to terrorism. Do not travel to Lombardy and Veneto due to the level of community transmission of the virus and imposition of local quarantine procedures. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. Overall Crime and Safety Situation The U.S. Department of State has assessed Milan as being a MEDIUM-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Italy receives large numbers of tourists annually from the United States. There is also a sizeable expatriate presence of U.S. private-sector interests within the country. U.S. visitors are generally safe in Milan and are not specific targets based on nationality; however, criminals do often target foreigners for petty theft and crimes of opportunity such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, and thefts from parked vehicles. Walking alone, going out late at night, or being out while under the influence of alcohol or drugs all increase the targeting risk. TYPE Milan 2017 Milan 2018 Variation Murder 20 15 -25% Burglary (all forms) 15,386 13,991 -9.06% Property Crime 27,005 24,648 -8.73% Sexual Offences 585 574 -1.90% Criminal Damage 26,974 28,118 +4.20% Drug Offences (Sale & Supply) 2,689 2,786 +3.60% Drug Operations (2019 Jan-Oct data) 2,381 (2,431 in 2019) +2.10% Cybercrime 14,977 18,021 +20.30% Note: The crime data reflects 2017-2018 statistics. Authorities had not yet released 2019 crime statistics for Milan at the time of the publication of this report. Violent crimes are infrequent, but they do occur. Over the past three years, the Questura has focused resources primarily on violence associated with organized criminal groups, particularly those trafficking drugs. Most major drug-related investigations and arrests have occurred outside of the city-center areas. Petty crimes and crimes of opportunity continue to be problematic in certain tourist areas in Milan. Milan has organized and sophisticated networks of pickpockets frequenting tourist attractions/sites, buses, and trains. Pickpockets may work in groups of two or three and employ creative means to steal valuables such as wallets or cellular phones from tourists. Public transportation, including bus and train stations, serves as a favorite venue for pickpocket rings. Buses and trains tend to be very crowded; most victims report that they only realize that their belongings are gone upon exiting the bus/train. Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind. Milan and northern Italian cities have the highest number of visitors in Italy. Hotels and home shares are widely available and relatively safe, but thefts occur occasionally. Always keep belongings in a safe place. Fraudulent currency—particularly the €20 denomination—is in circulation; check all cash for authenticity. Although the following areas within Milan maintain a well-patrolled security (police and military), the aforementioned crimes have occurred in areas such as: • Duomo Cathedral • Milano Railway Stations (Centrale, Garibaldi, Rogoredo, Cadorna) • San Siro Football Stadium, • Milan Airports (Linate and Malpensa) • Navigli Area • Large Shopping Areas (such as Via Torino or Corso Buenos Aires) • Public transportation (trams, trains, and buses) Organized criminal groups such as the Camorra, ‘Ndrangheta, Cosa Nostra Sacra Corona Unita, and non- Italian organized criminal groups are active throughout all of Italy. Italy also has some active organized crime elements from the following locations: • Southeast Europe (Macedonia, Albania, and Kosovo): cocaine trafficking, laundering money, migrant trafficking, extortion, and property crimes; • Russia and Eastern Europe (Romania, Bulgaria): money laundering, break-ins, and thefts; • China: extortion, migrant trafficking, blackmail, credit cards, drugs, arms, prostitution, and illegal gambling; and • West and North Africa: false documents, cocaine trafficking, and fraud. Cybersecurity Issues Cybercrime is a growing concern for Italian authorities. According to authorities, credit card fraud, ATM skimming, and identity hacking account for 75% of all financial crime in the city. The U.S. Secret Service in Rome is assisting Italian law enforcement authorities in investigating an increase in the appearance of ATM skimming devices. Use ATMs located in well-lighted public areas or secured inside a bank/business. Cover the keypad with one hand as you enter your PIN. Look for gaps, tampered appearance, or other irregularities between the metal faceplate of the ATM and the card reader. Avoid card readers that are not flush with the face of the ATM. Closely monitor your account statements for unauthorized transactions. Review OSAC’s reports, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud and Taking Credit. Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Italy. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Common scams include Romance/Online dating; Money transfers; Lucrative sales; Contracts with promises of large commissions; Grandparent/Relative targeting; Free Trip/Luggage; Lotteries; Inheritance notices; and Work permits/job offers. Use common sense, avoid deals that are “too good to be true,” and never give money to someone you do not know. Protect sensitive computer-based programs and operations. It is not uncommon for private corporations or government agencies to fall victim to hackers or other cyber-related attacks regardless of their location worldwide. Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, and Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices. Transportation-Safety Situation Road safety and Road Conditions Italy’s main roads and highways are generally well illuminated and well maintained. Although a section of the Morandi Bridge collapsed in 2018 and a small portion of the highway between Torino and Savona experienced some failure, the regulatory oversight agencies and repair schedule are comparable to standards in the United States. Generally, there are no significant dangers for drivers. Many smaller towns connect via smaller roads, which are frequently winding and not lighted. Cell phone usage during driving is illegal; you must have a hands-free system. Passengers younger than 24 months of age must be in a child’s seat equipped with an alarm. All drivers should have reflective clothing in case of emergency or breakdown. Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal; motorists can face hefty fines if found intoxicated. In Italy, the legal intoxication limit is 0.5 gram per liter. Generally, that limit corresponds to a glass of wine or one standard can of beer, but this can vary depending on the person’s body composition. Drivers frequently pass on superhighways (autostrada) at very high speeds. Rural roads are generally narrow, often have no guardrails, and inconsistent speed limits. Seat belt use is compulsory. You must use headlights year-round, and at all times, outside of urban areas. During the autumn/winter months, you must have either winter tires or carry snow chains if driving outside urban areas. Be careful when crossing streets, even when using a marked crosswalk with a green walk light illuminated. Police traffic control checkpoints are common; police can pull you over without probable cause. If this happens, do not be alarmed or assume you have done something wrong, simply cooperate and present them with your driver’s license. If police stop you, under certain conditions you may pay the police officer issuing the ticket immediately. Be prepared to pay in cash in local currency. Local police can confiscate your car if you cannot pay the fine. Police impose fines for those driving without the proper permits in historic downtown areas of cities and towns throughout Italy. Cameras photograph the license plates of cars illegally driving in parts of the city that require a permit. Authorities forward the fines imposed for these violations to the driver’s home in the United States to request payment. For definitive legal guidance or to contest a fine, consult a lawyer licensed to practice in Italy. Driving in Milan may be difficult for those unfamiliar with the area and traffic laws. Mopeds and scooters are common, and drivers often disregard traffic laws. Road conditions in Milan are slightly better than in other major Italian cities. Abide by the speed limit, as cameras are active. Lock vehicles and do not leave items in view of potential criminals. Park cars in a garage or an illuminated area. Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad. Individuals involved in a traffic accident should take the following suggested actions: • Car Accident with Injuries Call 112 to inform the dispatcher of your location, details regarding injuries, and the accident. Wait for emergency services to arrive. They will provide care and transport of the injured, reestablish traffic flow, and complete an accident report form. Note the name and destination of any injured persons to be transported by ambulance from the scene. A police report will be helpful in this regard.