“There is no inevitability to insecurity.” The message is clear and emphasized. On Friday, January 9, 2026, during the New Year’s ceremony for the internal security forces held at the Palais des Rois Sardes in Nice, the Prefect of Alpes-Maritimes, Laurent Hottiaux, reiterated the State’s determination to make security the priority for the coming year.
Gathered starting from 11:30 AM, national and municipal police officers, gendarmes, firefighters, customs officers, prison staff, soldiers from Operation Sentinelle, and civil security representatives attended this traditional institutional event. In a solemn setting, the prefect took the opportunity to commend the “considerable work” carried out daily by the law enforcement agencies and to express his support for them. “Protecting our fellow citizens, sometimes risking your life to ensure their safety, is more than just a job,” he emphasized, reminding that “it is a part of our democracy that lives” through their commitment.
At the opening of his speech, Laurent Hottiaux reiterated a fundamental principle: “there is no freedom without safety,” setting his remarks within a strong republican vision of State action. This guiding line ran through his entire address.
A top priority for 2026 is the fight against drug trafficking, identified as an absolute priority. The prefect highlighted the “spectacular results” achieved in the department while cautioning against any complacency. “The results are good, but it’s a war of movement, a fundamental work that must continue and intensify,” he insisted, referring to criminal methods that “increasingly resemble those of terrorists.” He firmly reminded: “there is no inevitability in the fight against insecurity.”
Beyond drug trafficking, the prefect emphasized the extensive missions assigned to the internal security forces: everyday crime, illegal immigration, road safety, civil security, as well as fighting urban violence, mortar trafficking, and the misuse of nitrous oxide. “I will maintain order,” he reiterated several times, promising constant vigilance throughout the territory, from large cities to high and mid-country areas, up to the borders.
Vigilance remains essential
The year 2026 also promises to be particularly demanding operationally. In addition to the electoral deadlines – municipal and senatorial – there will be a dense calendar of events, mixing sports, cultural, and economic activities. Not to mention the commemorations of the tenth anniversary of the July 14, 2016, attack on the Promenade des Anglais, a major moment of reflection for the territory. “The Alpes-Maritimes are accustomed to a permanently and extremely high event load. Each event requires meticulous preparation,” reminded the prefect.
Faced with a still high terrorist threat, Laurent Hottiaux also stressed the necessity of constant vigilance. “The threat has never been so polymorphic,” he warned, commending the discreet yet essential work of the intelligence services and the reassuring presence of Sentinelle soldiers.
Finally, the prefect extended his thanks to all security partners – magistrates, local elected officials, mayors, and municipal police – emphasizing the importance of coordination. “It is in unity that we are the most effective. The State fully assumes its responsibilities alongside all the actors committed to citizens’ safety,” he concluded.
This New Year’s ceremony thus reaffirmed the State’s support for its agents and set the course for a prefectural action in 2026 characterized by firmness, continuity, and recognition towards those who ensure security.
