New police station in Juan-les-Pins, "focus on road checks", "decline in crime"... How Antibes is preparing for summer security
Arnaud Ciaravino / [email protected] Published on 07/05/2025 at 11:00, updated on 07/05/2025 at 11:00
The dissenting voices of some local residents do not prevent Jean Leonetti from asserting, with figures from the Local Security Operational Committee (1) to support his claim: "Crime has been falling since the beginning of 2025, even if peaks can occur depending on the period. " However, the mayor of Antibes Juan-les-Pins refuses to be overly triumphant: "It is a positive element, but fragile, if we do not take the necessary preventive measures."
Beyond the now systematic searches at the entrance to major events like the Christmas market, two unprecedented municipal decrees will soon come into force. "The first aims to strengthen the fight against aggressive begging, with a balanced approach between the actions of the municipal police and that of the patrol teams," the mayor explains. He deplores: "We cannot tolerate provocative and borderline unhygienic situations occurring at the entrance to a kindergarten."
The second decree concerns the banning of nitrous oxide on public roads. "This laughing gas poses two problems: it causes explosions in incineration plants, and it is increasingly consumed." To limit its use, a circular will be sent to private party areas—particularly nightclubs—reminding them not to distribute balloons, the main means of inhalation. One final clarification: "The law does not prohibit the possession of them, but we will use these measures to crack down on the possession of nitrous oxide bombs to prevent public disturbances."
Increased resources for a calmer summerThe search for bladed weapons will be stepped up around the seaside resort, the scene of several attacks, including a fatal one in 2024 (read our September 2 edition). "The other objective is to restore calm to the beaches, which have been troubled by fights between gangs and towel robberies," said Commissioner Jean-Robert Robin, mentioning the presence of plainclothes police officers for surprise arrests.
Often singled out, the Pinède remains a priority (read our March 1st edition): "The area will be monitored until the establishments close." To this end, municipal police officers – 80% mobilized for the summer – will patrol until 4 a.m. "Three dogs will support their interventions," specifies the mayor, who also mentions the indirect and "valuable" assistance of private security during the evenings. At the same time, six additional officers, reservists and CRS (shared reinforcement with Cannes) will come to support the national police.
What about the seasonal police station in La Pinède? Juan-les-Pins will ultimately have two: "It has been moved to the Bibliothèque pour tous, which has itself been relocated to Rue Courbet. And a second station has been installed in the new Place Denise-Holstein, nearby."
1. A quarterly report produced by the Antibes police station in collaboration with the City.
Road accidents remain "too numerous." The Antibes police station intends to continue its road safety efforts, notably by stepping up alcohol and drug screenings in the town. "A focus will be placed on roadside checks. Standard operations will be carried out, but also large-scale operations, reinforced by CRS motorcyclists and the roadside check brigade from Nice," said Commissioner Jean-Robert Robin.
Over the past four months, 271 checks, including five major ones, have been carried out: 1,000 alcohol tests and 800 drug tests. Drugs are not the only concern of the police, who have noted 54 cases of driving without insurance, three refusals to comply, 339 excessive speeds, as well as 626 tickets issued for bald tires, using a phone while driving or not wearing a seat belt. "Motorcycle officers will also be driving up lines of cars to stop drivers who are watching videos on their phones, even when they are attached to the dashboard," warns Jean-Robert Robin, who mentions this as "a fad."
Increase in domestic violenceWhen they're not on the road, police officers are active on many other fronts: 51 knives were seized, including a cleaver, as well as 35 ceramic blades confiscated from a street vendor. Shops found guilty of selling alcohol without a permit, employing minors, selling Italian cigarettes, or selling spoiled goods were also targeted: on Avenue de l'Esterel in Juan, three were closed administratively—American Shop, Esterel Pub, Al Store, and Al Café.
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