“Very few incidents considering the crowds”, the Minister of the Interior takes stock of New Year’s Eve in Monaco

A ball at the Christmas market, fireworks and emblematic places of the country taken by storm. In the Principality, the transition to the new year was undoubtedly grandiose, and all the more successful as very rare incidents were recorded over the 2.08km² of the country. The reason? A police presence tripled compared to usual – between 70 and 80 Public Security agents on the bridge – and the continuation of road checks initiated on December 16, the day after two serious road accidents. Lionel Beffre, government advisor-Minister of the Interior, comments on this assessment for Monaco-Morning.

What is your assessment of New Year’s Eve?

First of all, it was a busier night than usual in terms of the crowds: at its peak, there were 4,200 people at the Christmas market, 1,200 on the South Darse, 3,500 on the Place du Casino. Then, the results are simple: there were very few incidents and no mass arrests.

Our usual checks resulted in 4 speeding violations. A road accident around 5:30 a.m. at the entrance to the Rainier-III tunnel with an alcoholic person, the only one involved, was recorded (read opposite). Finally, there were a few public drunken incidents here and there which the police dealt with as usual, handing people over to their loved ones.

Was the police presence alone enough to dissuade or was it the message of repression distilled since the two accidents in mid-December that had its effect?

Both, in my opinion, helped calm things down. The message itself is not enough if people do not see the police presence and controls behind it. During my visit to Public Security to greet the officers, this Tuesday around 8 p.m., we sent the message to be very attentive to the effects of alcohol, both on the roads and on public roads, because it is this what generated our actions.

Police have been conducting daily traffic checks since December 16 and until January 5. What infractions did you notice the most?

As of December 30, we had carried out 60 checks and received 200 fines: speeding, crossing a solid line, driving under the influence of alcohol or even drugs.

Is it tenable, in terms of numbers, to maintain this pressure beyond January 5?

We will not maintain it as we did there, every night, because there was a particular context. But we will maintain it randomly, with checks as much as possible, on Fridays and weekends. The bill must be tabled before the end of January and, if passed, will allow much more frequent, random and undoubtedly dissuasive blood alcohol testing. Not just when there are clear signs of drunkenness or an accident.

What message did you give to the bar owners and taxi drivers?

For night establishments, we asked them to distribute flyers, to rely on the Be Safe association and its free shuttles, and to alert the police as soon as they observe the behavior of someone taking the car. in conditions incompatible with driving. We are aware that they cannot detain their clients, that they do not have police powers, but they can call on us. For taxis, it was agreed that they increase their offer by 5 or 6 additional taxis to prevent some people from saying that they cannot get a taxi. We hope that these messages have been heard and, of course, they will have to be renewed. It is not enough to say them once for it to permeate people’s minds.