After the criticism and controversies following the absence of Nice among the first list of cities classified as Priority Security Zones for sensitive neighborhoods, Christian Estrosi has changed his approach and tactics. As a former minister, he recalled that progress isn’t made by flailing blindly, quite the opposite.
A meeting was therefore scheduled with the Minister of the Interior, Manuel Valls,
to clarify and explain the (good) reasons for his choices.
During a constructive one-hour meeting, the Mayor of Nice reminded the Minister of all the measures implemented in his city regarding security and the city’s commitment to supporting the law enforcement in their sovereign missions. He also took the opportunity to advocate for the classification of Nice’s sensitive neighborhoods as Priority Security Zones.
According to Christian Estrosi: “During a direct and pragmatic exchange, I presented to the Minister all the measures I have implemented in the city since 2008, particularly regarding the Municipal Police and video surveillance.
I believe Nice is exemplary in its dynamism concerning the fight for crime prevention.
It seems logical to me that we should be eligible for the Priority Security Zones, particularly for the Moulins and Ariane neighborhoods. I hope that the Minister of the Interior heard me, who will soon announce new Priority Security Zones”.
The follow-up will tell us if the “pro domo sua” plea of the Mayor of Nice was heard by the Minister.
Of course, everything was easier when there were friends or colleagues in the government, but now that the situation has changed, we must learn to cope.
And in this case, diplomacy is probably better than proclamations!
