Italian municipalities utilize senior volunteers for school safety

In various Italian municipalities, senior citizens are playing an active role in ensuring student safety through the ‘nonni vigile’ (grandparent crossing guard) programs.

In Sarmede, Mayor Larry Pizzol has joined existing volunteers Francesco De Martin and Giovanni Dal Cin to assist with traffic regulation and pedestrian crossings at the “Sandro Pertini” secondary school. This increased presence is intended to provide a fixed guard during upcoming seismic retrofitting work at the local primary school, which has necessitated the temporary relocation of students.

Similarly, in Thiesi, the municipal administration is calling for new volunteers to join its established ‘nonni vigile’ group. Launched in 2016, the initiative provides free support to the local police by monitoring school zones. The municipality is specifically inviting retirees, including former members of the police or armed forces, to contribute to the community service.