Italy defends move to patrol streets with soldiers

This is an interesting use of the military! I like it!

Maybe we could do this in Detroit and DC? Add in LA and Chicago and other gang ridden cities. Maybe we can let the Spec Ops boys loose on the gangs. We can clean them up in a few weeks and let the police handle the remainders. I love this idea!

Italy defends move to patrol streets with soldiers - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation): "The Italian government has defended its decision to use soldiers to patrol cities in an effort to curb crime, rejecting criticism that it will 'militarise' the streets.

'There is a strong call from citizens for better control of the streets, for improved safety,' Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa told Sky Italia television.

'My hope is that particularly in the evening, in the cities, these troops can ensure greater safety.'

The government announced on Friday that up to 2,500 soldiers, some of whom have served in Afghanistan and Kosovo, would be made available for a trial period of six months to bolster the police in difficult urban areas.

Silvio Berlusconi's new conservative government won an April election on a law-and-order ticket, and crime and public safety have stayed on top of the political agenda since Mr Berlusconi took office."