“A mobile, global and flexible system” was put in place this year for the Festival of Lights according to Antoine Guérin, delegated prefect for defense and security.
This Monday, during a press conference at the prefecture, he presented the security system alongside Mohamed Chihi, security deputy to the mayor of Lyon.
Festivities which are taking place once again in “a particular security context with a high level of terrorist threat and social movements which will have to be managed”, underlined the prefect.
Three security perimeters
Remember that Sdmis firefighters have been on strike since 1is october. Lyon municipal police unions have filed a strike notice which will run during this holiday.
The firefighters plan to demonstrate in particular on Thursday late afternoon. Requisitions could take place.
Three security perimeters will be established. The main one includes the Presqu'île, the slopes of Croix-Rousse, Bellecour, the 5e district and Fourviere. The others concern the Tête d’or and Blandan parks. The closure of these perimeters will take place one hour before the start of the event, i.e. 6 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 5 p.m. Sunday.
Vehicles will be prohibited, including bicycles and scooters.
Filtering at entry points
At entry points, manned mainly by national police personnel, screening of the public will be carried out: inspection of bags and luggage, security pat-downs and possible identity checks. Exit points will be controlled by municipal police and private security agents.
550 national police officers and gendarmes will be engaged daily, as well as several sections of Operation Sentinel, 220 municipal police officers and 430 private security agents. 120 firefighters and 6 remote barracks, reinforced by Smur teams and supported in their mission by Red Cross rescuers, will also be mobilized.
A specific “Orsec” plan is put in place to coordinate the response in the event of
major event. To this end, two command centers bringing together the services of
the State and the City of Lyon, and all their partners, will be activated during these 4 days.
