The young men were spotted dodging gondolas and water buses as they navigated Venice’s main street on Thursday morning. The scene was captured by many stunned onlookers. One of the videos that was widely shared online was posted by Luigi Brugnaro, the mayor of Venice, on Twitter. Here are two overbearing idiots making a mockery of the City… I am asking everyone to help us track them down to punish them even if our guns are really blunt… we urgently need more powers to the Mayors when it comes to public safety! pic.twitter.com/DV2ONO3hUs — Luigi Brugnaro (@LuigiBrugnaro) August 17, 2022 “Here are the two overbearing idiots making a mockery of this city,” Brugnaro wrote. “I’m asking everyone to help us track them down and punish them, even if our guns are really blunt – mayors urgently need more powers when it comes to public safety.” Brugnaro said he would “offer dinner” to anyone who could help locate the duo. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. A clip of the offense was also shared on the Instagram account of Venezia Non è Disneyland (Venice Isn’t Disneyland), a group created by young Venetians to raise awareness among visitors to the city. The video, which included the Beach Boys’ hit Surfin’ USA playing in the background, caused widespread outrage. “Shame,” wrote one Instagram user. “They should be banished from Venice for life, mother one.” Others, however, found their mode of transportation quite good. “I want one too!” one commenter wrote, while another said: “Wouldn’t it be great if we could all travel to Venice like this without giving money to ACTV [the public transport authority].” Venice authorities have been trying to crack down on bad behavior for years, with so-called “angels of decency” patrolling the streets during the summer and fines for people caught diving or bathing in canals, walking with bare chest, feeding pigeons or littering. Venezia Non è Disneyland closely monitors the various violations. In late July, the group shared a video of a man jumping into the Grand Canal from a bridge, narrowly missing a passing boat. Last week Brugnaro called for “10 days in jail” for a 33-year-old Scottish tourist who was caught taking a dip in a canal. In 2020 a French tourist was fined €150 after paddling along the Grand Canal on his standup paddleboard, and two German women had to pay €250 each for sunbathing in bikinis at the San Stae church.
