Two ST2N inspectors were assaulted by an individual at the “Valrose” tram stop. The individual was immediately apprehended by a Municipal Police crew, who took him to be presented to the Judicial Police Officer. The two inspectors were attended to by firefighters who took them to CHU Saint Roch. Reactions from the Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, and his main opponent, Patrick Allemand. As the saying goes, tastes and colors…
Reaction from Christian Estrosi, Deputy Mayor of Nice, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis:
“Once again, I can only deplore this increasing and repeated violence against staff who are there to enforce the rules of living together by ensuring daily order and our safety.
I wish to congratulate the municipal police officers who were able to subdue the individual in the very first minutes following this assault.
I have been denouncing this alarming phenomenon for several months now and unfortunately, I note that these acts of violence are becoming more widespread. Just this afternoon, SNCF employees were attacked near Marseille.
I remind everyone that assaults against law enforcement officers increased by 35% in 2012 and by 15% against police officers.
This has to stop! I once again draw the attention of the Minister of the Interior, Manuel Valls, to this rising delinquency and urge him to implement genuine measures to curb this phenomenon, which cannot be a foregone conclusion.”
I wish the agents who were victims of this assault a speedy recovery and assure them, along with all their colleagues, of my unwavering support in my fight against these acts of violence.”
Reaction from Patrick ALLEMAND, Municipal and Metropolitan Councilor, President of the “Changer d’ère” and “Socialists, Greens, and Republicans” groups:
I extend my best wishes for a swift recovery to the two inspectors assaulted last night at a tram stop and assure the tram drivers of Nice of my full solidarity.
I also commend the municipal police officers who swiftly apprehended the assailants for their bravery and responsiveness.
However, I regret the political rhetoric from the mayor of Nice at such a time, as he took the liberty to call out Manuel Valls.
Should we remind Christian Estrosi that the lack of resources he criticizes is the result of the elimination of 10,000 police positions by governments he was part of?
Should we remind him that Manuel Valls, upon my request, classified Nice as a priority security zone?
Should we remind him that significant recruitment of police officers is underway, and reinforcements are currently being trained in police academies to join Nice next year?
Finally, should we remind him that crime is decreasing everywhere in the department except in Nice?
It’s by asking the right questions that he will find the right answers, not by placing his own responsibility and that of the previous government onto a Minister of the Interior who has done more for Nice in 6 months than Nicolas Sarkozy did in 10 years.
