what is the first assessment for the private security agents deployed in the city of Moulins?

It is already dark in the sensitive Moulins district, west of Nice (Alpes-Maritimes). Around 6:30 p.m., in front of the gate of towers 31 and 32, at number 9 Avenue de la Méditerranée, two of them stood guard. Black bulletproof vest over gray jumpsuit, cap screwed on their heads and walkie-talkie in their ears, rangers on their feet: these men are not elite soldiers. On their back is written GAIDA for “Group of inter-landlord agents against disorder and abuse”. An acronym which also means “guard” in the Nice language. Deployed for six months in Les Moulins, these private security agents are trying to bring more peace to residents of the towers managed by three social landlords, including Côte d'Azur Habitat (that of the Nice Metropolis). Cost of the operation: 1.8 million euros per year, two-thirds financed by the donors, the rest by the city and the Metropolis.

“Our scope of intervention is broad. We ensure that building lobbies are not squatted, we put an end to nuisances when there are any, we ease tensions, etc..”comments one of the two agents stationed in front of the gate. “We do not have a lethal weapon, however in the event of an attack or a fight, we can intervene”he continues, evoking situations sometimes “tense” with drug traffickers in the sector. “They were attacked some time ago by the dealers, it was hot! But it seems like they're not afraid of anything.”says a local resident, out for a walk with his dog. The radio of these agents is also connected to the same frequency as that of the municipal police and all are equipped with an alert button. They are also sworn in and can draw up reports for offenses observed on site, such as damage committed in common areas or illegal dumping.

Daily interventions

“For us it’s reassuring to know they are in the neighborhood. They impose it and they don’t think they’re cowboys”insists another resident, seated around a table near broken-down cars. “Relations with local residents are generally very good. In a few months, we integrated well into the neighborhood. The remark that can be made to us is that we are not numerous enough and not present enough”confesses the agent encountered on Avenue de la Méditerranée. “It’s been a week since I last saw them!”deplores a resident of the other end of the district, on the crossing side of the Digue des Français.

There are fifteen of them today taking turns to cover the sector over four-day shifts. The fact remains that at this stage it is only an experiment and not a lasting initiative. The latter would be no less successful, according to Anthony Borré. The first deputy mayor of Nice – who also chairs Côte d'Azur Habitat as well as the board of directors of the autonomous economic interest group made up of the three lessors managing GAIDA – says he “extremely satisfied” from the point of view of the competence of security agents.

Residents recognize that their involvement is very useful. When we have GPO neighborhood meetings, the national police are also very happy with the information they get from GAIDA

Anthony Borré.

From May 9 to November 20, these guards carried out some 709 interventions and evacuated 1,685 individuals. They recovered 42 bladed weapons and 101 objects linked to narcotics (including bags). 500 grams of cocaine were also seized as well as two kilos of cannabis. The fifteen agents have to date accumulated 24,444 interactions with residents of the neighborhood, proof for Anthony Borré of their good integration and their efficiency. “We first made them work during the day so that they could meet the populations and get used to the environment, but now it is more in the evening and at night that they are mobilized”he specifies. “Residents recognize that their involvement is very useful. When we hold GPO neighborhood meetings (Operational Partnership Groups, Editor's note), the national police are also very happy with the information they get from GAIDA”supports the elected official.

From this point of view, some police officers want to be more nuanced, even critical. “The GAIDA? It’s a pipe!”shouts one of them. “How can Mr. Borré, who wants bring the army to Les Moulins can he draw up such a rosy assessment when these security agents are only equipped with tear gas canisters?he jokes. And a former BAC continued: “We have colleagues from the BST (Specialized field brigade, Editor’s note) who function very well in the city with their network of informants without going through GAIDA. On the contrary, we avoid getting in touch with them and the donors, otherwise we will have leaks.”

A contested utility

Some residents also doubt the real effectiveness of agents in gray overalls. “We never see them! They are on their phones non-stop. The climate hasn't changed at all since they were here. They have premises now in tower 39, they spend all their time there. And then where were they during arson this summer (which left 7 dead on the night of July 18, Editor’s note) ?»attacks an “elder” of the neighborhood. “These are people who are useless, even they say so. The dealers don't move an inch when they see them. They speak badly and are absolutely not social”says Nourredine Debbari, president of the Nice Moulins Solidarité 06 association.

Criticisms which do not make donors lose their optimism. “It is not impossible that other landlords will join us, particularly in the west of the department. I know some people look at us and want to be inspired. We ourselves do not rule out development in other areas of the city and also on the amplitude of agents”announces Anthony Borré. “Far be it from me to say that this system will permanently solve the problem of drug trafficking. We don't flex our muscles and say 'look, we're the strongest!' No, but the results remain very positive, that’s a fact.”he concludes.