Urban violence: Éric Ciotti deploys crisis plan to protect Nice businesses

Two days before the weekend, the municipality of Nice and state services are drastically strengthening their security measures following last weekend’s violent riots. Between a ban on demonstrations, record police mobilization and emergency aid to merchants, here is a recap of the key announcements made following a crisis meeting.

In response to the trauma left by the violence and looting of last weekend, the priority is to protect the city and its economic fabric. During a meeting held this Thursday in the presence of Jean-Pierre Savarino, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Marcel Vidal, President of the Federation of Merchants’ Associations, and representatives of Nice’s merchants as well as state services, Éric Ciotti presented an emergency action plan for the coming weekend.

The toll from last weekend is heavy for the Côte d’Azur capital. Twenty-two businesses were damaged, ransacked or completely looted. “It is violence almost unprecedented in its scale and brutality”, denounced the Mayor of Nice, comparing these actions to “genuine robberies” perpetrated by organized groups and sometimes armed individuals.

Reviewing last week’s failures, the elected official strongly criticized the handling of law and order by the Interior Ministry, pointing to an initial “under-deployment” of national forces and the hasty departure to Marseille of a CRS unit during the gathering. Éric Ciotti nevertheless praised the courage of national police and municipal police, who faced an outbreak of violence resulting in over 100 people being taken into custody throughout the weekend.

Exceptional measures for Saturday

To prevent these scenes of chaos from recurring, a set of major administrative and security measures immediately come into effect.

In agreement with the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture, all demonstrations are strictly banned this Saturday in order to provide a clear legal framework to preventively stop any violent gathering. On the ground, an exceptional deployment is underway, the state is mobilizing at least 400 national police officers, gendarmes and soldiers from the Sentinelle force, who will be supported by nearly 280 municipal police officers tasked with securing commercial streets.

Finally, given the large number of minors arrested last week, the curfew for unaccompanied minors from 9 p.m. is extended. On this matter, Éric Ciotti directly appeals to families’ sense of responsibility, reminding them of the authorities’ intent to pursue parents financially and initiate eviction procedures from their social housing.

Economic aid plan for merchants

Beyond security measures, the absolute priority is to support affected merchants and to quickly restart the local economy. To respond to the emergency, local authorities are joining with the CCI to establish an exceptional fund designed to compensate on a case-by-case basis for losses in revenue suffered by affected or forced-to-close establishments. In parallel, the Metropolis finances 50% of physical security expenses (reinforced storefronts, anti-intrusion devices) or private security services undertaken by professionals, up to €5,000 per business. On the administrative front, the Departmental Office of Public Finances offers customized deferrals for tax deadlines, social contributions and property tax. Finally, entrepreneurs benefit from comprehensive support through the creation of a single window to simplify their procedures, as well as a dedicated psychological support unit.

While concern remains high among merchants, the authorities intend to send a signal of total intransigence. “Punishment will be the best means of deterrence”, concluded Éric Ciotti, affirming his determination to see the maximum criminal penalties applied against rioters.