In light of the particularly tense atmosphere in recent days, where schools are notably exposed to the terrorist threat, Christian Estrosi has decided to review the safety of schools in Nice.
The mayor announced that after the attacks in Paris and Nice in 2016, over 14 million euros were invested in school security measures. They are now all equipped with alert buttons that enable immediate radio contact with an agent from the Urban Supervision Center (USC) with just a simple press. In case of an issue, geolocation allows the nearest team to be dispatched after a check is conducted through the video protection cameras in the concerned area. Several projects have also allowed for the installation of anti-intrusion alarms, video intercoms, electric door strikes, and raising school fences.
Since 2020, emergency call stations directly connected to the USC have complemented this system and have been installed in front of each school group, including private schools. A room is specifically dedicated to the surveillance of schools within the city’s Urban Supervision Center, allowing for careful observation and securing of student entrances and exits.
The Experience of Armed Police Officers
One of the first cities in France to experiment with the presence of an armed police officer in schools, Nice hopes to generalize this reform that was unanimously supported by the School Council. These officers are tasked with assisting the educational community in controlling access, visual and perimeter security of sites, managing entries and exits, providing security advice, presenting the dangers of the Internet and cybercrime, and offering road safety prevention and education.
Twenty-nine schools currently benefit from this system in the municipality. The Municipal Police can also rely on the support of the 215 “Traffic Grandpas and Grandmas” responsible for ensuring road safety around schools in the area and raising awareness among children and their families during crucial times such as school arrivals and departures. Their help is invaluable! In 2019, Christian Estrosi wanted to experiment with facial recognition at the entrance of a high school; he thus proposes to bring the idea back to the forefront and expresses his readiness to advance further in this experimentation.
