by Lorenzo Rossi
After weeks of violence, culminating in a filmed and published execution on social networks, the Municipality of Nîmes, in the south of France, has adopted a drastic measure: starting from 21 July, for 15 renewable days, a curfew for all minors of 16 yearsfrom 21 to 6 in the morning. The measure, which concerns six high priority neighborhoods, is an attempt to curb the escalation of crimes related to drug trafficking.
«Young people will no longer be able to circulate without a responsible adult. This will help us to better control the territory “, explains Mélissa Gil, representative of the Alliance-Police union of the Gard department. But he immediately adds bitter consideration: «We cannot delude ourselves that it is enough. When state reinforcements end, everything risks starting again as before ».
The neighborhood that lives on drugs
In the sights of the authorities there is above all the Pissevin districtlocated five minutes from the highway that connects Spain to Marseille: a strategic node for drug trafficking. According to rumors, here the drug network would move up to 50,000 euros per day. It is therefore not surprising that several criminal gangs, including the feared Dz Marseglase Mafia, compete for the territory with weapons and violence.
On August 21, 2023, a feud between rival groups had already caused the death of a ten -year -old boy. But it is in recent months that the situation has precipitated.
Chronicle of an escalation
From January 2025 they are counted 17 wounded by firearm and three dead. On July 15, a 19 -year -old boy was killed with pistol strokes, then burnedand abandoned in the surrounding countryside. A few days earlier, on July 10, in the Mas de Mingue district a man was assassinated by an armed commando aboard a car. On June 27, in Valdegour, a shooting in broad daylight left six injured on the ground, including four minors.
But what the most restless authorities is the new method of intimidation. «Trafficers are increasingly ruthless: they film their violence and publish them on social media to terrorize», Gil still denounces. The video of the execution and the stake of the body of a young man was displayed by thousands of people. In a message on Instagram, threats don’t even spare the little ones: «We will also kill 5 -year -old children, keep your children safe. Anyone who meets our men in black will be riddled with shots “.
When fear wins
To live daily this hell is those who work in the neighborhoods. As Father Serge Cauvasparish priest in Pissevin for over ten years. “People are afraid. Many no longer come out of the house », he tells the online newspaper The Croix. “Some families took their children and went to take refuge from relatives in other cities.”
Raouf Azzouzdirector of the Social Center Les Mille Couuleursconfirms: «The merchants close, doctors and ecological operators exercise the right of retreat. We fear that public transport also stop ». Two employees of the social center have already chosen temporary retreat. Outdoor public activities were suspended, but The initiatives for children and families will continue: «We must guarantee at least a little breath. We cannot abandon the population, “reiterates Azzouz.
An urgency that interpelants everyone
The curfew, alone, does not solve the problem. We need a structural and lasting response, that unites social prevention, justice and presence of the state. But the courage to stay, as Father Cauvas and the operators of the social center do. In an increasingly marked Europe by inequalities and insecurity, We cannot afford to turn our backs to the most fragile.
