Nightclub's Plea for Fair Treatment Amid Shutdown

In response to the order issued by the Rome Police Headquarters that mandates the closure of our venue, despite our prior decision to suspend activities until clarity was provided on the recent incidents that affected our nightclub, the partners of OPUS Club wish to express their utmost solidarity towards the two girls and deep disappointment and concern regarding the lack of protection for our sector. We are aware of the importance of ensuring public safety and respect the laws and regulations in force. However, it is essential to underline that our activity and, with us, the 130 employees who work tirelessly every evening, are constantly exposed to risk situations without any adequate means of defense: especially in the latest case of the 2 girls (curiously just on the day of reopening) for the unmotivated gesture in its genesis and as vile and cowardly as it was unpredictable just because of its crazy dynamics. We work with young people, but we are not their educators nor do we have the necessary tools or authorizations to intervene, limiting our action to selection at the entrance only. The decision of the Rome Police Headquarters seems to neglect our constant commitment to maintaining a safe and selected environment for our customers in order to respond to a media attack by newspapers that only aim for the sensational article to collect a few more views and, minimally interested in describing the reality of the facts. Our staff is trained and qualified to handle delicate situations, and we invest significant resources to implement safety protocols that go well beyond the minimum requirements. Our 38 internal and 14 external Security Operators, doctor and nurses with ambulance and defibrillator stations, 32 internal and external cameras are only the most visible aspect of our great commitment and passion that for over 30 years has entertained 3 generations of the capital in utmost safety. The OPUS Club is a resource for Rome, generating employment and contributing to the vitality of the local economic fabric and international tourism; the closure of a venue is always a defeat for everyone. It is imperative to underline that, in the event of incidents, we are always the injured party, without any adequate support to defend our reputation and our investment. We therefore ask for an open and constructive dialogue with the competent authorities to find solutions that can reconcile the needs of public safety with the right to continue our activity.