Firenze S.M.N: the station of the Gypsies

In recent days, after the new anti gypsies put in place by the Prefecture and the State Railways, verso le 8,30 we decided, as drafting, to bring us to the train station of Santa Maria Novella for a visit.

Both the Prefect Varratta that the Mayor did they know Nardella, in the face of so many complaints from our stressed out by the constant presence of gypsies that surround the tourists asking for coins, cigarettes, regalini, aiutini, that there would be more checks and more personal, to prevent access to the station who is not in possession of the train ticket.

For their part, the State Railways claimed to have increased the number of "controllers" in station: additional staff with the task of removing the Roma when they annoy travelers.

In fact, you have to admit - at least when we went we, Monday morning – that the situation seems to have improved: every track has at least one policeman and a controller of Railways; in addition to, the entrance of each track were placed two hurdles to prevent the passage of the usual crafty without a ticket, Foreigners generally homeless, that do not run the risk of taking this even the fine provided for traveling without a valid ticket.

Arrived at the station, waiting for the train, I went to the tobacco, just what in the station, where you can buy either from the front of the rails, that the other side, more hidden, in the lounge of the Ticket.

Since the row from the side rails very long I decided to move on the other side. Which, strangely, there were neither policemen nor controllers. But there were at least four gypsy that upset the tourists, especially English, Americans, German. One of these was also angry because he was a gypsy too close and continued to touch the keys on the screen of the ticket machine. Other, stressed and desperate, have succumbed and decided to leave the rest of the ticket price to the gypsy to get rid of permanently, because they can no longer.

Buy my cigarettes and a mileage ticket, I have not had time to put in your backpack pack of cigarettes a gypsy, different from that of the machines, I was immediately approached, saying: "From the money please, the money ". When I declined he continued: "Give me two cigarettes, from cigarettes ". I ran quickly to go to the track, I was saved before another gypsy asking a cigarette. Practically in less than 10 three more minutes they came to ask me for a cigarette Gypsies.

As soon as the light displays have reported the train track chosen, to see if the situation had changed on convoys, I started, Backpacking, sports hat on his head, jeans e t-shirt, as an ordinary passenger, Do binary.

Which, at the beginning of the track, hurdles in the middle, is the policeman that the controller, not only did I have watched, but they did not even bother to check if I had a train ticket.

I got on the train, where we had to wait well 20 minutes - Delay – before he left: all the way, from Florence to Pescia has never passed the controller.

After a few seconds came a gypsy Romanian with an accordion. He began to play!

And some travelers have commented: "But then, the police officer and the controller to track what they are used?”

I and others 14 passenger wagon have soptook almost five minutes for his annoying jingle, played at high volume: elegant tizio, who was phoning, blasphemed because he no longer felt nothing, a boy asked his friend why there was this gypsy despite the controls, a smiling visitor, others pretended nothing. At last, the gypsy started asking for money to passengers.

I have to admit that I was arrogant and insistent as are many other (some are even threatening and violent, especially with single women), but as soon as he arrived in the back of the wagon, he turned, He looked at me and the other passengers, and said in a loud voice: "Fifteen people, only 80 cents ... ", and then let go in heavy offense towards our parents, especially to our moms.

A guy stood up and yelled in his face to leave immediately otherwise would have ended really badly. But the Roma smiled by way of mockery and quietly went to play another wagon.

In conclusion: Firenze S.M.N. is still the station of the Gypsies.

In order to protect travelers gypsies should be removed as soon as possible.

It is not enough to turn them away proclamations but serious action, repressive and constructive.

Michael Lattanzi

By the number 27 – The Year of 16/07/2014