The question of how the Nice attacker’s truck was able to drive along the Promenade des Anglais despite police barricades arose in the first hours following the tragedy.
In the midst of political exploitation, Christian Estrosi spoke of a security measures deficit: “Why, in a pedestrianized zone, were there not more measures in place to prevent this tragedy?”
This statement, which was evidently more an insinuation than a question, added yet another chapter to a tumultuous relationship with the government, and received a straightforward response from the Prefecture. In a statement, they clarified that “the truck mounted the sidewalk, bypassing the police vehicles that were blocking the road.”
Statement from the Prefecture of Alpes-Maritimes
The security and public order arrangements implemented for July 14th in Nice were developed by the Prefecture and the local public security department (DDSP) in partnership with the City of Nice.
Beyond daily exchanges with the City, a meeting of the departmental public security direction (DDSP) with the City Hall and two meetings of the Prefecture with the City Hall allowed for the organization of this event’s security arrangements.
The evening of July 14th in Nice featured a “Prom Party,” a musical event taking place on the Promenade des Anglais. A fireworks display was held at nightfall at 10 PM.
The security arrangement involved the deployment of 64 National Police officers (more than what was planned in the service note) and 42 Municipal Police officers across the entire perimeter: this arrangement was modeled after the one implemented for the Nice Carnival last February.
The principle relied on random peripheral checks and a presence both visible (departmental intervention company – CDI) and discreet (several members of the anti-crime brigade – BAC) within the crowd.
The random checks at the entrance of the zone and vigilance inside were coordinated from the department’s information and command center (CIC) of the DDSP, which had access to the city’s video surveillance system (1,400 cameras) and an operator from the Municipal Police.
Simultaneously, the City of Nice’s urban supervision center (CSU) allowed for ongoing observation of the entire arrangement. This CSU was pre-prepared as an operational command post (PCO) activatable in case of an important event.
This PCO was activated as of 11:30 PM on July 14th, and the departmental operational center (COD) to coordinate rescue efforts opened simultaneously at the Prefecture.
This arrangement was further supplemented on Thursday night by the deployment of 20 soldiers, or 5 patrols, as part of the Sentinelle mission. It is noteworthy that Nice is one of the French cities best covered by the Sentinelle arrangement.
The perimeter mission was entrusted to National Police teams, reinforced by Municipal Police teams for the most sensitive points. This was notably the case for the entry point of the truck, with access prohibited by vehicles blocking the road. The truck forced its way through by mounting the sidewalk.
This setup was implemented for the first time for a “Prom Party,” as previous editions did not have perimeter control.
It was the courageous, professional, and determined intervention of the DDSP officers that, despite the brutality and speed of the event, brought the truck to a halt and neutralized the driver.
