THEY KNOCK THE NOSES OFF STATUES IN A PARK THAT WAS A FAVORITE HAUNT OF POET JOHN KEATS AND THROW DYE INTO THE ICONIC TREVI FOUNTAIN. VANDALS ARE INCREASINGLY ON THE PROWL IN THE ETERNAL CITY, AND NOW ITALIAN AUTHORITIES ARE FIGHTING BACK, SENDING MORE POLICE, INSTALLING CAMERAS AND EVEN CONSIDERING USING CONVICTS TO PROTECT MONUMENTS AND ARTWORKS. FOR TROUBLE MAKERS NOTHING IS SACRED: EARLIER THIS MONTH VANDALS LEFT ANTI-POPE GRAFFITI ON THE SCALA SANTA, OR HOLY STAIRS, A MAJOR CATHOLIC SITE THAT DRAWS PILGRIMS FROM AROUND THE WORLD WHO CLIMB ITS 28 MARBLE STEPS ON THEIR KNEES. COMPOUNDED BY POLLUTION, NEGLIGENCE AND CHRONIC SHORTAGE OF FUNDING, VANDALISM ADDS TO THE CITY'S DIFFICULTIES IN PRESERVING ITS UNIQUE ARTISTIC HERITAGE, FORCING OFFICIALS TO USE VALUABLE FUNDS IN EMERGENCY RESTORATION. WHAT MAKES PROTECTING THE ITALIAN CAPITAL SO ESPECIALLY CHALLENGING IS THE CHEER WEALTH OF ITS TREASURES. OFFICIALS HAVE BEEFED UP POLICE PATROLS ON MONUMENTS AND PARKS, INCLUDING SENDING PLAINCLOTHES OFFICERS MINGLING WITH THE CROWD OF VISITORS, AND HAVE INSTALLED CCTV. THE AGENCY IN CHARGE OF KEEPING ROME CLEAN IS WORKING WITHE JAIL AUTHORITIES TO ALLOW FORMER INMATES OR CONVICTS RELEASED ON PAROLE TO HELP CLEAN UP VANDALIZED MONUMENTS. OFFICIALS SAY THEIR EFFORTS ARE PAYING OFF, AND THAT VANDALS ARE BEING CAUGHT THANKS TO THE CAMERAS. STILL, 'IT TAKES 30 SECONDS TO DAMAGE A MONUMENT', NOTES ROME'S TOP ART OFFICIALS.
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