"This new regulation aims to make the action between public establishments and public safety increasingly active, but on the merits it introduces a series of actions that must be interpreted at this time and in some ways make us reflect on our role as public establishments: today we cannot equate bars, restaurants and discos as if they were the same type of activity": this is what Emanuele Frongia, president of Fipe Confcommercio Sud Sardegna, said about the new code of conduct for customers and managers of public establishments.
The premises, according to a new decree from the Ministry of the Interior, led by Matteo Piantedosi, are required to identify a "security manager" who will be a point of contact with the police. They must also install, at their own expense, video surveillance systems and ensure adequate lighting of the area.
They must also define the rules of conduct to be observed inside and in the immediate vicinity of the premises, thus adopting the “code of conduct” of the customer to be posted in the premises, which must contain a series of measures aimed at qualifying the “model customer”.
"The businesses," explains President Frongia, "are already responsible within their premises, with organizations structured to guarantee maximum safety for our customers. We have security systems, training and prevention activities that respond to our function: to welcome and serve citizens. We monitor our outdoor spaces, we always have, but we cannot be given other roles and new responsibilities."
Among the critical and controversial points of the decree, Fipe also indicates «the installation of expensive video surveillance systems and the designation of safety referents».
"The public order function", concludes Frongia , "is and must remain an exclusive competence of the police. Placing further responsibilities on the traders, already crushed by burdensome obligations, is a choice that penalizes the entire sector".
(Online Union)