This is too much overflow for the inhabitants and traders of Palavas-les-Flots. Rodeos of cars and motorcycles, consumption of nitrous oxide, wild nocturnal gatherings, knife attacks including one carried to a 13-year-old during a fun fair ... Since June, the situation has become explosive in this small town yet deemed quiet.
New example to date: Friday, August 21, a battle broke out between traders and young people " from the Parisian suburbs ", according to Midi Libre. The tone quickly rose and the blows began to be delivered. A saleswoman and a uniformed police officer were beaten, the last of which was in the face. The gendarmerie company went there and used tear gas to restore order. About 20 people were taken to the station and interviewed by the police.
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Organization of a dead city and visit of the prefect
An incident that has become almost common for the inhabitants of the seaside resort which sees its population multiplied by more than ten in summer. Faced with this increase in violence, traders decided to show their anger by organizing a " dead city " on Friday August 21 at the end of the afternoon. On several stalls whose curtains had been lowered, one could read: " Exceptional closure in solidarity with traders victims of attacks ".
The next day, this Saturday August 22, dozens of Palavassiens gathered in front of the police station of the city of 6,000 inhabitants where the actors of the brawl of the day before were heard. Residents and shopkeepers wanted to ensure " that justice be done " and that these events finally end.
The mayor, Christian Jeanjean, has been mobilized for several weeks and the prefect of Hérault was expected on site late Saturday evening.
" A special summer 2020 "
On August 7, France Bleu reported the words of Christian Jeanjean: “ Young people come to let off steam. We must not forget that nightclubs are closed, all parties have been canceled, ferias, fireworks. [...] This summer 2020 is special ”.
The same day, more than 200 people, gathered under the banner of the collective “ All is not allowed in Palavas! », Marched in the streets to demonstrate against the increase in incivility, especially near the beaches. On August 8, the city council therefore issued an order prohibiting access to the beaches from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. until September 15. In addition, to support the local forces in the municipalities of Palavas-les-Flots, Carnon and La Grande-Motte, a surveillance and intervention detachment (DSI) of 44 mobile gendarmes arrived as reinforcements on July 18.
The mayor of the city said he was doing “ whatever it took ” despite the “great difficulty in managing the situation” . However, he asked for help from the state. The Minister of the Interior replied "to follow the situation closely " and called on the police to show " the greatest firmness " in the face of this " unacceptable violence ".