Horse patrols deployed in Florence parks as spring brings more visitors

With the first mild days of spring drawing more people outdoors, Florence has begun deploying mounted patrols from the city’s municipal police in several parks and public gardens.

The initiative is designed to strengthen the local presence of the Polizia Municipale, Florence’s municipal police force, particularly in areas that attract families, children and people spending time outside. Officers on horseback can move more easily through large green areas and are intended to act as a visible deterrent against disorder or anti-social behaviour.

The first patrols took place in the parks of Anconella and Cascine. On Monday afternoon, mounted officers also patrolled the gardens along Via dei Vespucci in the north-western part of the city, in Florence’s District 5. The area is frequently used by children leaving a nearby primary school and by families living in the neighbourhood.

Additional patrols are planned in the coming weeks in several other green areas, including the parks of Anconella, San Donato and Argingrosso, as well as the gardens in Piazza Francia and the Campo di Marte area.

According to the city government, the presence of mounted officers is meant to complement the regular neighbourhood patrols carried out by local units of the municipal police. City officials say the service allows officers to cover large parks more effectively while also maintaining direct contact with residents.

The initiative is part of broader efforts by the municipality to increase monitoring of public spaces during the warmer months, when parks and gardens typically see a sharp rise in visitors.

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