You can reach any emergency service using 112 (the single European emergency number for the Universal European Emergency Services), including the police, emergency medical services and the fire department.
You can also call these direct emergency numbers:
112 carabinieri (national army police)
113 polizia (local police)
115 vigili del fuoco (fire department)
118 ambulanza (health emergency and ambulance service).
If you want to report a disturbance such as noise, illegal activity or loitering, call the vigili urbani (urban police) at Tel. 051.266626. If you call to report a loud party or other minor public disturbance, the police may also stop by your house to hear your version of events.
STREET AND TRAFFIC SAFETY
Pick-pocketing is probably the most prevalent street crime in Bologna. Keep in mind that when many people leave the city in August, the crime rate goes up. Be extra careful when closing up your house in this period whether you’re going on an extended vacation or just running down to the fruttivendolo (corner shop). Watch your belongings and keep purses and bags zipped, especially while riding the bus.
Many people avoid walking alone at night in the area around the train station and in some parts of the university district, especially around Piazza Verdi and the end of Via San Vitale. At night, the street that runs from Piazza Verdi to Via San Vitale (Via Giuseppe Petroni) is frequently the site of fights and other drug- and alcohol-related crimes.
Walkers should be aware that motorists rarely stop at pedestrian crosswalks. Always look both ways for traffic before crossing any street, no matter what the traffic signals say. Given the frenetic pace of traffic, you might be wondering how people manage to survive riding a bike around town. That said, the number of dedicated bike lanes has increased in recent years and the weekends, when much of the centre is closed for car traffic, are generally more relaxed for pedestrians and bicycles. Whichever way you choose to move around, stay calm and use prudence.
CONSULATES
You can find a list of consulates located in Emilia-Romagna and contact details on the commune.bologna.it website.
The closest consulates for the United States of America are located in Florence and Milan (see www.usembassy.gov), for the United Kingdom in Milan (www.gov.uk/british-consulate-general-milan) and for Canada in Milan and Rome (see www.canadainternational.gc.ca/italy).
For addresses of Italian embassies and consulates abroad visit: www.serviziconsolari.esteri.it/info-consulate.