‘Copping’ a plea

Disdain for the police in Italy transcends all age groups.

General disdain for police seems constant among Italians, especially Italian youth.

What makes it seem odd is that I do not see the police around much and when I do, they seem to do little.

Yet, when they do interact with the public, generally they get a cool reception.

I mentioned in an earlier post the inescapable and relentless “tagging” that goes on here and its connection to disrespecting police.

Another example occurred Saturday night near the Trastevere fountain, where a four-piece street band playing jazz (very well, too) drew a large crowd.

Street performers abound at night throughout Italy — jugglers, acrobats, magicians, singers and more. The police pay them no mind.

But a tavern owner told us that musicians, especially groups with electronics, get treated differently.

And so, as Funkallisto, the Rome-based sextet minus two this might, played some jazz-funk, two police officers approached.

The crowd groaned and a few folks booed. I moved closer to listen to a very animated discussion between the younger of the two officers and the band’s saxophone player, Danilo Desideri.

I got the feeling that Desideri bought the band some time, because the police moved off and the band played on.

But 30 minutes and a larger crowd later, the officers returned — and this time the crowd’s displeasure with the police grew louder.

I decided to split.

The band did, too.

The crowd dispersed on a sour note.

 

 

 

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