The mayor of Bari, Antonio Decaro, clarified recent statements made by President Michele Emiliano regarding an incident that occurred nearly twenty years ago. Emiliano had recounted a story about accompanying Decaro to the home of the sister of a local boss, Antonio Capriati, in response to threats faced while implementing a traffic restriction in the Bari Vecchia area. Decaro denied ever visiting any sister’s home and emphasized the support Emiliano had provided during the protests that arose due to the traffic restrictions. Decaro explained that he had never been to any sister’s house and reiterated the fact that Emiliano had been supportive during the difficult period.
Emiliano’s version of the story involved Decaro visiting him in distress after being threatened while carrying out inspections for the traffic restriction in Bari Vecchia. According to Emiliano, he then accompanied Decaro to the house of the sister of the local boss to ensure the safety of his engineer who was working on the project. The actions were intended to demonstrate a shift in attitude towards the local bosses involved in criminal activities and to protect the workers involved in the project. Emiliano also mentioned that the city later conducted evictions in the homes of the Capriati family as a response to criminal activities taking place in the area.
Following the controversy sparked by his statements, Emiliano clarified in a note that the incident he described was true and had occurred when they were implementing traffic restrictions in Bari Vecchia. He emphasized that he had personally visited the sister of the boss Antonio Capriati, whom he had arrested and prosecuted for murder, to convey a message of change and intolerance towards criminal behavior. Emiliano explained that his actions were intended to address the situation in a civil and authoritative manner, like a Carabiniere handling a delicate situation with firmness and resolving issues without escalating conflicts.
The story recounted by Emiliano highlighted the challenges faced during the implementation of the traffic restrictions in Bari Vecchia and the confrontations with local criminal elements. The incident served as a turning point in the relationship between the authorities and the criminal groups operating in the area, with a shift towards a more assertive and proactive approach to addressing criminal behavior. Emiliano’s actions were meant to demonstrate a commitment to protecting the workers involved in the project and ensuring the safety of the community from criminal activities.
In conclusion, the incident described by Emiliano and Decaro reflected the complexities and tensions involved in implementing urban development projects in areas affected by organized crime. The response to the threats faced during the traffic restrictions in Bari Vecchia highlighted the need for a firm and authoritative approach in dealing with criminal elements while ensuring the safety of the workers and residents in the area. The incident also underscored the importance of fostering positive relations with the community and addressing criminal behavior through decisive action and clear communication.
