Abstract

After a brief analysis of the contemporary urban insecurity syndrome, the author takes into consideration those Urban Safety Projects which intend to conjugate social prevention and more traditional police and criminal justice activities in order to implement a democratic policy in contrast to the unambiguously repressive ones advocated by conservatives. No evaluation of such projects being as yet ready for the Italian cases, the author describes some of the English and French ones. Drawing as well from researches on women's urban experiences and perceptions, she points to problems and contradictions in democratic policies for urban safety and expresses doubts to their viability, showing how women neeed more resources to support and augment their freedom and autonomy, rather than more protection or a sterilized environment, and concludes by advocating instead trust producing policies.