You most likely don’t know Monica Poli’s face, however you may acknowledge her voice. Deep, booming and coming out of your telephone throughout a late-night TikTok scroll.
“Attenzione, borseggiatrici! Attenzione, pickpocket!”
Ms. Poli, 57, who lives in Venice, has turn into distinguished on social media for patrolling the streets of her hometown, calling out would-be pickpockets to vacationers.
She is a part of a bunch often known as the Cittadini Non Distratti — the undistracted residents — who wander town shouting at individuals whom they imagine to be thieves plucking wallets, passports and different objects from the pockets of passers-by.
Typically Ms. Poli and her fellow beginner watchdogs will report these suspected pickpockets to the police. In 2019, The Economist reported that the group was accountable for a 3rd of all pickpocket arrests made in Venice.
The civilian group has been energetic for many years however solely just lately joined TikTok and Instagram, the place a whole lot of hundreds of individuals now comply with alongside, thanks largely to Ms. Poli’s unmistakable voice. Her shouts of “Attenzione, borseggiatrici! Attenzione, pickpocket!” have turn into a meme. (She has even been remixed, her voice entrance and heart in a dance monitor.)
In a typical video, Ms. Poli movies a crowded space, like town’s practice station. Then she begins shouting. In some clips, the suspected pickpockets could be seen fleeing from her lens. Others who’ve been seemingly caught within the act will maintain up luggage or hats to cover their faces.
In the event you’re watching these movies with headphones, you’ll need to flip the quantity down: Ms. Poli must be loud sufficient to get the eye of not solely the supposed wrongdoers, but additionally vacationers.
In a latest interview, Ms. Poli, a lifelong Venetian, mentioned her sudden brush with web fame and why she’s nonetheless out roaming town’s streets in spite of everything these years. The dialog has been edited and condensed.
How lengthy have you ever been doing this?
We’re a bunch of about 50 individuals. The primary time we caught a pickpocket was in Venice about 30 years in the past. I believe it’s the primary group in Italy. The oldest.
Are there different anti-pickpocket teams?
In Milan. I believe there’s one in Rome. In Spain, Barcelona.
Why did you be a part of social media?
We opened TikTok and Instagram to let the individuals of the world know that while you come to Venice, watch out.
How usually do you patrol the streets?
Relies upon. Typically all day after work, as a result of I work within the morning. I clear places of work. After, I spend my time defending the vacationers. It may be three, 4, 5, six hours.
What do you search for?
They cease within the station. The way in which they take a look at individuals, the way in which they take a look at luggage. I’ve a sixth sense.
Are you ever involved that you just’re calling out an individual who just isn’t truly a pickpocket?
No. Once I see them, I do know they’re pickpockets. It’s so unusual to say … I’ve one thing inside me and I acknowledge instantly.
This morning, I used to be on the bus to Venice. From the bus, I see two males and one lady on the street. I had by no means seen them earlier than. I went out from the bus and I caught them. I take a look at the girl and she or he has a bag open. There have been two police, and I say, “Cease them!” They had been pickpockets. In a single minute, they stole wallets from three households.
Have the police ever requested you to cease?
No, by no means.
How do the pickpockets react? Do they ever get violent?
There was an episode about 5 years in the past. 4 ladies fought me, and folks stopped to see the scene. I used to be alone. Individuals stopped to see the motion and by no means helped. It was horrible. I had a neck collar for 20 days.
Did that make you need to cease?
It doesn’t matter. I’ll proceed to do that work.
Do the pickpockets acknowledge you? Do they know to run away from you now?
They acknowledge me. The lads, they affront me with the center finger. They take photos of me. The ladies, they run away. I believe they assume I’m loopy, possibly?
You’re well-known on TikTok now.
It was so unusual for me. My voice is all over the place! I’m joyful as a result of the message arrived the place we wished. We wish the vacationers, individuals coming to Venice and Milan, to concentrate. The pickpockets are so fast.
Have any vacationers began recognizing you?
This morning, I used to be on the street and a vacationer checked out me. He mentioned, “You’re … ‘attenzione, pickpocket!’” He was with a bit lady. I mentioned, “Sure.” “I discovered you! Can we take an image?” He was from Denmark, I believe.
How do vacationers react while you begin shouting? You’re impressively loud.
At first they take a look at me for a number of seconds, after which they watch what occurs. “Attenzione, borseggiatrici!” After, they are saying thanks, as a result of they perceive.
Vacationers, significantly American vacationers, don’t have one of the best fame. Why defend them?
I defend all of the vacationers. Tourism in Italy is essential. We dwell with the vacationers. I would like individuals who come to Italy to have respect, and we should respect them.
