While two brawls took place this week in the department of Essonne, causing the death of a 14-year-old schoolgirl who was trying to separate the gangs, the question arises about the prevention of this phenomenon.
Éric Jalon, prefect of Essonne, explains that warning systems have been activated in several sectors of his department.
Unfortunately, this process was not implemented in the area of the last two fights.
How do these devices work?
Are they found in other departments of the Ile-de-France region?
Le
Figaro
takes stock.
Read also: Essonne: six young people presented to a judge after the death of a schoolgirl in a brawl
What is a fight?
A brawl is the clash between two rival gangs.
The latter must be composed of three individuals to be considered as a "
gang
", defines the prefectural "
anti-gang
" plan.
The clashes between these groups generally concern a turf war or settling of scores concerning disputes related to the underground economy.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, throughout the national territory, in 2020, 357 clashes between gangs of neighborhoods took place, against 288 in 2019. So a significant increase of 23.95%.
Three people died as a result of these clashes.
What warning systems are in place?
In Essonne, since the death of two young people last summer, a network has been formed between the police, schools, social services and public transporters.
These brawls operate on a precise geographic model: they are generally concentrated around schools, train stations and bus stations.
Exchanges and surveillance around schools have therefore been stepped up.
"
This warning device has already been activated fifteen times since the fall, which has made it possible to prevent, or at least to arrive before things degenerate,
" specifies the prefect of Essonne in
Figaro
.
A network loop has also been created on encrypted messaging systems, such as WhatsApp or Telegram.
It operates 24 hours a day in the Corbeil-Essonnes sector.
As soon as weak signals are detected by one of the actors, the latter sends a message on the conversation, which allows the others to mobilize.
“
Two keys are important in these systems: decompartmentalization and responsiveness.
Decompartmentalization means that all the players talk to each other, and they have to talk to each other quickly.
Different institutions are involved, each with a piece of information and a piece of the action to drive
"
,
details the prefect.
To read also: Brawls between rival bands in Essonne: "The nature of violence has changed, but not our laws"
This same process is also present in the capital.
A local alert system, which includes police stations, the city of Paris, district mayors, specialized prevention associations and the prosecution, has also been set up in each district.
In 2020, this device was activated 57 times, thus preventing disturbances to public order.
Towards generalization?
Concerning the case of Essonne, this device is not extended to the whole department.
In reaction to the brawls at the start of the week, the prefect was clear: he wants to generalize it.
For this, it will bring together all the local elected representatives on Monday March 1, in order to consider solutions and "
ramp up
".
Read also: Dealers, wild parties: the first evening of the curfew in the cities of Essonne
In Paris, a council was organized almost a month ago to strengthen the existing system.
The mayor, the public prosecutor, the prefect of police, the rector and the director of judicial protection of young people gathered around a table.
The improvements will focus on prevention, the exchange of information, the implementation of audits, the organization of working groups according to the districts, the generalization of prevention in the cities of the inner suburbs and the strengthening of teams. rectorates' mobiles.
Across the Ile-de-France region, a meeting will be organized on Thursday February 25 with all the prefects, at the request of the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin.
The goal is to pool experiences, in order to stem these phenomena which are particularly concentrated in the region.