Venice’s Vigilante: Monica Poli’s Mission to Protect Tourists from Pickpockets
In the shadow of Venice’s iconic Rialto Bridge, Monica Poli, a 58-year-old Venetian, stands as a self-proclaimed guardian against pickpockets. Armed with a powerful voice and a dedication to protecting tourists, she patrols the city’s crowded streets, shouting her signature warning: “Attenzione, pickpocket!”
Her alerts—delivered in Italian, English, and Spanish—stop people in their tracks. Tourists thank her with gratitude, and some even ask for photos. Alessandro Lavardato, one of her 605,000 Instagram followers, calls her work invaluable, saying, “These pickpockets are a real problem.” For many, Poli has become as much a part of Venice as its historic canals and art.
Social Media Fame and a Spiraling Crisis
Poli’s first viral video in June 2023 garnered 69 million views on TikTok. Since then, her trademark warning has been turned into dance tracks, memes, and even protest chants. Yet beneath the humor lies a serious issue: petty crime is on the rise in Italy, with Venice experiencing a 38.8% increase in thefts on trains in 2023 alone.
Tourists, who make up 78% of theft victims, are prime targets for pickpockets, especially since a 2022 judicial reform known as the Cartabia reform makes prosecuting petty crimes more difficult. Without a victim’s formal report or presence at trial, cases are often dismissed—something foreign visitors rarely have the time to follow through on.
As a result, Venice, with its 30 million annual tourists and fewer than 50,000 residents, has become a “gold mine” for pickpockets. Arrests have plummeted, with only two recorded in 2024 compared to 82 in 2019.
A Civic Mission Born from Experience
Poli’s crusade began in the 1990s while working in a store frequented by Japanese tourists, who often carried cash. Watching distraught visitors discover their wallets missing sparked her sense of civic duty. She joined Cittadini Non Distratti (“Undistracted Citizens”), a volunteer group dedicated to spotting and thwarting pickpockets.
Poli sees her mission as more than a hobby—it’s a deep commitment. Even while running errands, she’s ready to drop everything to pursue a suspect. “I believe if someone saw [a pickpocket] robbing my wallet, they’d do the same,” she says.
Risks and Reprisals
Poli’s efforts come at a personal cost. Since going viral, she has been pepper-sprayed, spat on, and physically attacked. Members of her group have faced similar threats, including knife intimidation. Despite this, she continues her work, warning victims and chasing suspects in what she calls her “watery Gotham City.”
Her detractors accuse her of racial profiling and question her methods. TikTok banned her accounts twice for showing the faces of alleged pickpockets. Poli defends her actions, arguing that her work protects the vulnerable, especially elderly victims, who often lose irreplaceable items like family photos.
Fighting Organized Crime
Poli insists that pickpocketing in Venice is not random but a well-organized criminal enterprise. Europol supports this claim, noting that many pickpockets belong to mobile, family-based networks operating across Europe. Poli has watched individuals grow into the trade over decades, reinforcing her belief that this is a systemic issue requiring attention.
Tips for Tourists
For visitors to Venice, Poli offers practical advice to avoid falling victim to pickpockets:
- Use internal pockets for valuables.
- Keep bags in front of you with a hand on them.
- Attach cellphones to your bag or clothing with a cord.
- Be vigilant when using ATMs or purchasing tickets to avoid revealing your PIN.
- Avoid carrying anything in your back pockets.
“Everybody thinks they won’t be robbed,” she says, “but it happens. Losing your wallet means losing cards, cash, and often priceless memories.”
A Determined Guardian
Despite the risks and criticism, Poli remains steadfast. She carefully plans her public appearances, often accompanied by a companion for safety. “I’ve been threatened, attacked, and spat on,” she says, “but I’ll keep going as long as I can.”
Monica Poli may not wear a cape, but in Venice, she’s become an unlikely hero, standing up to organized crime with a fierce determination to protect her city and its visitors.
