“This is an important date. It was in my program.” And he had promised it within a hundred days. The mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, is keeping to his schedule by launching his “Green Police.” It is composed of 17 municipal police officers, 14 Public Way Surveillance Agents (ASVP), supported by 18 green space surveillance guards, sanitation personnel, nautical and equestrian brigades, and 2 road inspectors. Their equipment includes sound meters, 3 cars, 6 scooters, and 12 mountain bikes emblazoned with “Protection of Living Environment-Nice.” The uniform: all in green with the logo: protection of Nice’s living environment (while waiting for the official uniforms, the officers will work in classic uniforms with a green badge attached). The agents of the Green Police were volunteers from the municipal police, eager to switch brigades. They will be under the command of Benoît Kandel, deputy in charge of security, and Sylviane Casanova, director of security and protection.
The goal is to enable the Directorate of Security and Protection to act against all abuses of the environment and living environment: wild posting, graffiti, unauthorized dumping of trash and bulky items in public spaces, dog fouling, dangerous dogs, stray animals, neighborhood noise, noise from public places, noise from two and four-wheelers, terrace encroachments… Christian Estrosi emphasizes prevention and rejects an “all-repressive” approach: “There is a need to ensure respect for Nice by both residents and those who come to Nice. Every act against someone else’s life will be penalized. It won’t just be about repression. The agents will also be on a mission to advise on waste and will carry out prevention.”
While the mayor of Nice finalizes the details of this new system with the judiciary, the Green Police will initially act and issue preemptive fines. “Fictitious” reports will be handed out to offenders along with a charter of “good conduct” that they must sign to commit to respecting the living environment in Nice… Afterward, fines can go up to 450 euros… The first “fictitious” intervention and fine occurred on Pertinax Street as early as Wednesday morning…
