Tomorrow, 10th of April 2021, Italians will celebrate the 169th anniversary of the founding of the State Police Corps.
Not that I have often been in trouble, Baruch Hashem, but sometimes I have found myself in need of calling for help. Living in Milan, in London and in Modena, my experience with the Police has always been very positive.
In Modena, it had almost become a friendship! For a while I had a shop in Via Fonteraso, right near Piazza Roma. Shortly after my arrival, some of the officers who used to park nearby, swap shifts, and then leave for their night's duty, began to peep in, opening my door with discretion, welcoming me to the shopping district. Those who were leaving work usually waved a hand passing by in the street; those who were starting the shift, were so kind as to come in and ask if I would like them to bring me a coffee, which I could never accept because of the timing, but I was touched by such genuine and warm kindness.
Of course, as a shopkeeper and given the problematic crowds who were used to gather in front of my shop, I was reassured to have the comfort of the officers telling me not to hesitate to call 112 in case of emergency.
And one day I had the honour of undertaking a small make-over of this 'detail' on the uniform of one of these gentlemen!
Dear "Policemen", best wishes and thanks for your service, for your fundamental work for our communities and for each one of us.
LiOr