Mérignac, the second largest city in Gironde with 77,000 residents, is following the lead of Bordeaux, Talence, and Bruges. Its socialist mayor, Thierry Trijoulet, has confirmed that the municipal police will soon be armed, stating that, “the security of residents and officers is a matter of pragmatism, not a left or right ideology.”
No surge in crime, but some notable incidents
This decision comes just a few weeks after a shooting incident in the Beutre neighborhood, which left one person seriously injured and impacted the local community. However, the mayor emphasizes: “There is no increase in crime in Mérignac.” For him, the goal is to provide officers with the means to respond to potentially serious situations, without being forced to retreat.
An investment of 50,000 euros
In total, 38 municipal police officers will undergo training for four to six months before they are equipped with their firearms. The municipality plans a budget of around 50,000€, which includes the purchase, secure storage, and training of the officers.
The arming of officers is part of a broader strategy to enhance public tranquility. For several years, the city has more than doubled the number of municipal officers and now relies on a city supervision center with over 400 cameras. "Our community officers are often the first on the ground," emphasizes the mayor, who believes that "we needed to take a significant step forward."