On August 4th, at the foot of Saint-Roch Church, a municipal police van took up residence. Anthony Borré, the first deputy mayor, was present for the inauguration of this security system.
The idea emerged in January. Implementation took place in mid-June. The principle is the same as on the hills of Nice. A mobile municipal police station is set up to increase the visibility of the police officers. It also allows the forces of order to truly connect with the local residents. Going to a police station can be a source of anxiety, stress, or even seen as a “waste of time”… In short, this mobile station also helps facilitate procedures. Any resident who is a victim or witness can go to this station to file a complaint.
The Saint-Roch sector faces numerous issues: urban rodeos, incivilities, and petty crime. To address this, the metropolitan government has undertaken many actions. Indeed, one of these was the installation of emergency call booths. These “SOS” booths, which have been appearing on Nice’s sidewalks for several years, clearly illustrate the city’s security policy. Additionally, there has been an increase in night patrols. For nearly a year, “groups of young people” have regularly frequented the benches of Saint-Roch Square. This occupation leads to disturbances and damage that the municipal police monitor with interest.
360 arrests since the beginning of the year
In the broader sector of Semeria, Verany, Saint-Roch, and Risso, as of July 30, 2023, there have been 360 arrests since the beginning of the year. The figures also show that 317 citations related to incivilities have been issued. These data point to the necessity for the Nice metropolitan area to install this station. Moreover, strengthening the connection between officials, merchants, and residents is the intended approach of this initiative.
Establishing a climate of trust also means giving residents a voice and offering them a listening ear. As Anthony Borré emphasizes, “the municipal police must listen to citizens.” According to him, “simple things” are the most effective. This system is intended as “an experiment” in a context where “crime adapts to everything.” Anthony Borré recognizes the importance of constantly renewing and questioning oneself to never let crime win.
A security system that aims to be sustainable
This van, marked with the colors of the municipal police, sets up in one neighborhood in the morning and another in the afternoon. Eight officers are distributed across two operational teams from Monday to Saturday. During the summer period, shifts run from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM, covering two sites per day. At the start of the school year, the system is set to become permanent. The goal is to visit one site per day, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and then from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. These times are designed to ensure police presence for the security of schools.
Besides the hills of Nice, the favored sites are those with a significant flow of population. It should be noted that a calendar will be available to track the mobile security post’s locations. Lastly, this system undoubtedly facilitates quick interventions and has a deterrent effect.
