You may not know Monica Poli’s face, but you may recognize her voice. Deep, emerging and coming from your phone while scrolling through TikTok at night.
“Attenzione, borseggiatrici! Attention, pickpocket!”
Ms. Poli, 57, who lives in Venice, has become prominent on social media for patrolling the streets of his hometown, calling out would-be pickpockets from tourists.
He is part of a group known as the Cittadini Non Distratti — the uncaring citizens — who roam the city shouting at people they believe to be thieves who take wallets, passports and other items from the pockets of passers-by.
Once Ms. Poli and his fellow rookie guards will report suspected pickpockets to the police. In 2019, The Economist reported that group was responsible for a third of all arrests of pickpockets made in Venice.
The civilian group has been active for decades but recently joined TikTok and Instagram, where hundreds of thousands of people now follow, thanks in large part to the unmistakable voice of Ms. Poli. His cries of “Attenzione, borseggiatrici! Attention, pickpocket!” became a memes. (He has been remixedhis voice front and center on a dance track.)
In a typical video, Ms. Poli showing a movie in a crowded place, like the city train station. Then he started screaming. In some clips, suspected pickpockets can be seen fleeing from his lens. Others who seem to have been caught in the act will grab bags or hats to hide their faces.
If you’re watching these videos with headphones, you’ll want to turn down the volume: Ms. has to be loud enough. Poli to get the attention of not only suspected wrongdoers, but also tourists.
In a recent interview, Ms. Poli, a lifelong Venetian, his sudden rise to internet fame and why he still roams the city’s streets after all these years. The conversation has been edited and condensed.
How long have you been doing this?
We are a group of about 50 people. The first time we caught a pickpocket was in Venice about 30 years ago. I think this is the first group in Italy. The oldest.
Are there other anti-pickpocket groups?
In Milan. I think there is in Rome. In Spain, Barcelona.
Why did you join social media?
We opened TikTok and Instagram to let the world know that when you go to Venice, be careful.
How often do you patrol the streets?
It depends. Sometimes all day after work, because I work in the morning. I clean offices. Then, I spend my time protecting tourists. It could be three, four, five, six hours.
What are you looking for?
They stopped at the station. The way they look at people, the way they look at bags. I have a sixth sense.
Are you worried that you’re calling someone who isn’t really a pickpocket?
Nope. When I see them, I know they will pickpocket. It’s very strange to say … there was something inside me and I recognized it immediately.
This morning, I was on the bus to Venice. From the bus, I saw two men and a woman on the road. I had never seen them before. I got out of the bus and caught up with them. I looked at the woman and there was an open bag. There were two policemen, and I said, “Stop them!” They are pickpockets. In one minute, they stole wallets from three families.
Has the police ever asked you to stop?
Never.
What was the reaction of the pickpockets? Do they ever become violent?
There was an episode about five years ago. Four women fight me, and people stop to see the scene. I am alone. People stopped to see the action and stopped to help. It was terrible. I had a neck collar for 20 days.
Did you manage to stop?
Unimportant. I will continue to do this work.
Do pickpockets recognize you? Do they know how to run away from you now?
They recognize me. The boys, they tease me with the middle finger. They are taking pictures of me. The girls, they ran away. Did I think I was crazy?
You are famous on TikTok now.
Very strange for me. My voice is everywhere! I’m happy because the message came where we wanted. We want to pay attention to tourists, people who come to Venice and Milan. Pickpockets are very fast.
Have any tourists started to recognize you?
This morning, I was on the street and a tourist looked at me. He said, “You’re … ‘attenzione, pickpocket!’” He had a girl with him. I said yes.” “I found you! Can we take a picture?” He’s from Denmark, I think.
How do tourists react when you start shouting? You are amazingly loud.
At first they look at me for a few seconds, and then they watch what happens. “Attenzione, borseggiatrici!” Then, thank them, because they understand.
Tourists, especially American tourists, don’t have the best reputation. Why defend them?
I protect all tourists. Tourism in Italy is very important. We live with tourists. I want the people who come to Italy to have respect, and we should respect them.
