the security system for the Festival of Lights in Lyon

The Rhône prefecture and the city of Lyon presented this Monday the security plan for the Festival of Lights which will take place from December 5 to 8. As every year since the attacks of 2015, a security perimeter with filtering will be set up in the area of ​​the festival of lights, but also at the Tête d'Or park and the Blandan park.

Also read
“Anchored, sparkling and popular”: in Lyon, a best-of edition of the Festival of Lights to celebrate its 25th anniversary

In total, 550 national police officers will be mobilized accompanied by 120 firefighters, soldiers from Operation Sentinel, 220 municipal police officers and 430 security agents. 14 Red Cross aid stations will also be distributed throughout the perimeter, the closure of which will begin at 6 p.m. on December 5, 6 and 7 and at 5 p.m. on the 8th. Filtering will be done by visual inspection. Bags and luggage will be searched and pat-downs and identity checks may be requested. “We call on visitors not to take bags if possible”recalled Antoine Guérin, new prefect of Rhône responsible for security. Eleven loudspeakers will also be installed at queue level to broadcast messages and information, or manage flows or security in the event of a crisis.

Due to traffic restrictions on vehicles, bicycles and scooters, the authorities strongly recommend favoring public transport and walking. On the transport side, 600 TCL agents will be mobilized, supported by 350 private security agents. The Vieux-Lyon station, often stormed, will be the subject of particular attention and could be closed, “if necessary”, in case of excessive crowding.

Also read
Lyon: firefighters threaten to strike for the Festival of Lights

Municipal firefighters and police officers on strike?

However, two strikes threaten the event. For several months, SDMIS firefighters and municipal police officers have been on strike to demand more human and financial resources. Firefighters will demonstrate on December 5 from 4:30 p.m. during a movement that is expected “very followed in the barracks but also the general staff”, warn the unions. Firefighters who for the moment “do not forbid anything in terms of action”. These could be “spectacular” to mark the occasion.

Also read
“I stop eating”: after 48 days of strike, Lyon firefighters begin a hunger strike

On the side of the municipal police, a demonstration is planned for December 6 under the windows of the Hôtel-de-Ville. In both cases, requisitions could be imposed, indicated Antoine Guérin and Mohamed Chihi, deputy security officer for the city of Lyon. In this context, will the numbers for the two professions be those announced by the public authorities? “On the 6th we will be far from the mark”promises Bertrand Debeaux, FO Municipal Police delegate in Lyon, who also indicates that he is already studying the possible “illegality” of certain requisitions. As for the firefighters, the requisitions could concern volunteer firefighters from the department, say the unions. It wouldn't be the first time. In 2018, in a similar social context, volunteer firefighters from neighboring departments were requisitioned.