The nighttime attendance of beaches by groups of intoxicated youths (and let’s not mention the rest) has become a hot topic in these times of health security.
If we are to accept that both young and less young people have the right to access public spaces, we must not turn a blind eye and ignore the incivilities, not to mention any other kind of excesses.
After the controversies following the organization of The Avener’s concert last Saturday—a masterpiece of poor planning—Christian Estrosi tightened the rules by banning parking on beaches after 10 PM during the weekend. In other words, yes to a little moonlit stroll, no to overnight stays.
The decision aims to put a stop to incivilities and follows the request of most citizens and residents who suffer the consequences of these groups of petty troublemakers both before and after their presence.
Very naturally, (how could it be otherwise?) voices from left-wing associations have risen to criticize this decree: the moderate voice of Patrick Allemand (Nice at Heart), and the more “Chavist” stance of David Nakache (All Citizens).
Both expressed their opinions through statements from which we publish the main points (according to our modest opinion) of each.
We await further developments…
Patrick Allemand: It is not beach access that should be banned after 10 PM, but alcohol consumption!
We cannot be naive in this matter. The rhetoric about sharing, social connection, etc., sounds nice. But it is not those who give these speeches who find their vehicle damaged the next morning, the door of their building smashed, and so on.
There is a problem that needs to be recognized and addressed with solutions. Simply clearing out and banning beach access after 10 PM is an inadequate and excessive response because it penalizes everyone instead of focusing on the “troublemakers.”
[…] Additionally, it potentially poses a risk in the city where the “troublemakers” may retreat, as this new ban will merely be a response to a few groups of intoxicated individuals who choose to make themselves known through noise, and sometimes violence and vandalism. Therefore, action should be taken against the consumption of alcohol and drugs on the beach. This is what needs to be prohibited, by providing the necessary means.
David Nakache: No to the ban on accessing Nice’s beaches in the evening!
The mayor of Nice and the Prefect of Alpes-Maritimes want to ban access to the beaches of Nice, the Port, and the Reserve from 10 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The logic is simple: a few cause trouble, everyone is penalized. Instead of ensuring the safety of the people of Nice and tourists along the seafront, access is prohibited to them.
[…] The heart of the issue lies there: to ban is not to protect.
[…] By forbidding everyone to access public spaces, Christian Estrosi increases the nuisance power of the “troublemakers”: because of them and the ineptitude of public authorities, the whole city is penalized. By systematically banning and fencing off public space, we confine ourselves.
[…] The youth must have their place in Nice, and systematically opposing them with prohibitions will only exacerbate the situation.
The seafront, like all public spaces, must remain accessible to all. It is up to local public authorities, both the mayor and the prefect, to ensure the safety of the entire population without banning access to the beach, the port, or the Reserve. We want to inhabit the city freely, with humanity, and preserve the communal living in Nice.
