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Rome: The 400 armed soldiers patrolling Rome did not seem to bother Renata Zya. They made her feel safe.
The soldiers are part of a deployment that began Monday in cities across Italy to beef up security and free police officers to investigate crimes at a time when many Italians feel law-breaking has grown to unacceptable levels.
"We feel better - at least there is someone around that you can trust and knows how to help you," said Zya, a Polish maid who lives in Rome. "If you look around and see the soldiers, you automatically feel safer."
In Rome and the northern city of Turin on day one of the deployment, at least four people were arrested on petty crime and drug trafficking charges. An additional 50 people had been identified by authorities in Turin, Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said.
"I believe we are on the right track to guarantee more safety for citizens, to give them the feeling that the state is there and it is serious about fighting crime," Maroni said at a news conference.
Soldiers were also in Naples, Bologna and Palermo and more will be deployed in coming days, reaching an overall total of 3,000 authorities said.
Perception
But the images of soldiers in the streets - such as the 150, some with automatics weapons, guarding consulates and monuments in Milan - may be intimidating to locals and tourists alike, critics say. Local authorities in Rome seemed to be aware of the potential, and soldiers are not expected to work the capital's historic centre.
"The soldiers make you feel safer but it's sad that we need them," said Francesco Santomauro, a priest from Andria.
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