Grenoble, the French Chicago? 2018, knife attacks and gunfights are on the rise in the heart of the Isère metropolis. Exasperated by this growing insecurity, the Alliance Police nationale union no longer hesitates to compare the city run by environmentalists to a « Chicago French ». Six years later, despite the many warnings, the situation has not improved (far from it) and worries the judicial authorities. The murder of Lilian Dejean, a municipal agent shot at point-blank range while intervening in a traffic accident, adds to the security record of Éric Piolle (EELV), at the head of the city since 2014, already marked by numerous tragedies.
“Shootings every two or three days”
Seven shootings in one month. The summer of 2024 was particularly bloody in Grenoble, where an intense gang war is raging against a backdrop of drug trafficking. “Four men shot and wounded near drug dealing point”, “shooting in a district of Échirolles”, “one dead at the beginning of August”, “a man armed with a knife”… The dramatic events continue to occur in the urban area, and local residents live in fear of a “stray bullet”. “I haven’t seen such gang warfare since I arrived”warns Éric Vaillant, prosecutor of Grenoble, to our colleagues at Parisian. “Shootings every two or three days for almost a month. It’s an intense gang war. Since the beginning of the year, there have been a good fifteen shootings with as many injured and one dead, but the particularity of these last weeks is the density”adds the magistrate. An observation shared by his predecessor Jean-Yves Coquillat who, already in 2017, declared : “I have never seen a city of this size so rotten and riddled with drug trafficking.” It seems that nothing is being done to improve the situation…
Faced with the increase in these sometimes deadly score-settling incidents, Gérald Darmanin announced the dispatch of a CRS-8 unit, specializing in urban violence, to secure the city and attempt to stem this extreme violence.
Refusal to arm the municipal police
The death of Lilian Dejean, while certainly not directly linked to drug trafficking, nevertheless rekindles the debate on the methods used by Éric Piolle to combat this growing insecurity which has now made Grenoble one of the least safe cities in France. Quickly after the announcement of the death of the municipal agent, many voices were raised to denounce the “security laxity” of the ecologist councilor. For Brice Hortefeux, former minister of Nicolas Sarkozy, the security police of the mayor of Grenoble is prevented by “ideological blindness”. Karl Olive, Ensemble MP, adds: “Everyone must take responsibility. […] In terms of security, Eric Piolle has done nothing.” Hanane Mansouri, new MP for Isère Union of the Right for the Republic (UDR), contacted by BVabounds: “The list of victims of murders and gratuitous assaults in Grenoble has grown considerably since 2014. The feeling of insecurity is omnipresent, not only in the suburbs but now even in the epicenter. The dramatic assassination of Lilian Dejean took place in front of the city hall!” Asked about these criticisms, the mayor of Grenoble has not yet been able to respond to our requests.
The fault, according to the MP, lies with “Eric Piolle’s refusal to arm the municipal police, where the scum is equipped with heavy artillery”. This September 10th, again, at the microphone of Apolline de Malherbethe mayor reiterated his position on this subject: “I believe that arming municipal police officers is exposing them to missions that are not theirs and to risks that I am not prepared to take for them.” The opposition even regrets that The night brigades, therefore unarmed, avoid certain districts for safety reasons, a claim that the municipality, however, refutes.
The same observation is made about video surveillance. As early as 2014, the mayor joked about his desire to get rid of the aging camera system that secure the city. Although he ultimately kept this system, he neither maintained nor developed it. Added to this are nearly 25% of municipal police stations that remain unstaffed… All these factors allow dealers to develop their trafficking in broad daylight, and residents to remain destitute. Hanane Mansouri concludes: “To quote a poster campaign led by UNI Grenoble, “laxity kills”, and the mandates of Éric Piolle are perfect examples of this.”
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Grenoble, the French Chicago: A City Plagued by Violence and Insecurity
In recent years, Grenoble, a city in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France, has earned the nickname “French Chicago” due to its alarming levels of violence and insecurity. The situation has reached a boiling point, with shootings, knife attacks, and gang wars becoming a regular occurrence in the city. This article will delve into the root causes of this issue, the consequences, and the potential solutions to address this growing problem.
The Rise of Violence in Grenoble
The summer of 2024 was particularly bloody in Grenoble, with seven shootings in one month, leaving multiple people injured or dead. The prosecutor of Grenoble, Éric Vaillant, described the situation as an “intense gang war” with shootings happening every two or three days [1]. The city has seen a significant increase in violent crimes, including assaults and armed robberies, earning it the reputation as one of the least safe cities in France [2].
The Role of Drug Trafficking
Drug trafficking is a significant contributor to the violence in Grenoble. According to former prosecutor Jean-Yves Coquillat, Grenoble is a city “rotten and riddled with drug trafficking” [3]. The lack of effective law enforcement and security measures has allowed drug dealers to operate freely, fueling the violence and insecurity in the city.
The Failure of Security Measures
The mayor of Grenoble, Éric Piolle, has been criticized for his approach to security. His refusal to arm the municipal police and his lack of investment in video surveillance have been seen as contributing factors to the city’s insecurity [4]. The opposition argues that the mayor’s “ideological blindness” has prevented him from taking effective action to address the issue [5].
Consequences and Criticisms
The situation in Grenoble has serious consequences for its residents, who live in fear of violence and insecurity. The murder of Lilian Dejean, a municipal agent shot while intervening in a traffic accident, has sparked outrage and criticism of the mayor’s security policies [6]. Many have called for the mayor to take
Dove si trova Grenoble in Francia
Grenoble, the French Chicago?
Grenoble, a city nestled in the heart of the French Alps, has earned a reputation for its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and technological advancements. However, beneath its idyllic façade, Grenoble is grappling with a growing insecurity crisis that has led some to label it the “French Chicago”[[[1]]. The city’s escalating crime rate, fueled by gang warfare and drug trafficking, has sparked concerns among residents, authorities, and national leaders.
A City in Turmoil
In recent years, Grenoble has witnessed a surge in violent incidents, including knife attacks and gunfights, which have left locals and visitors alike on edge. Seven shootings in one month, including four men shot and wounded near a drug dealing point, have become a stark reality for the city’s residents[[[2]]. The summer of 2024 was particularly bloody, with shootings occurring every two or three days, according to Éric Vaillant, prosecutor of Grenoble[[[3]]. The situation is so dire that even the judicial authorities are sounding the alarm, with Jean-Yves Coquillat, a former prosecutor, describing Grenoble as a city “rotten and riddled with drug trafficking”[[[4]].
The Consequences of Insecurity
The murder of Lilian Dejean, a municipal agent shot at point-blank range while intervening in a traffic accident, has added to the security concerns plaguing the city. The incident has sparked calls for increased security measures, with many criticizing Éric Piolle, the ecologist mayor of Grenoble, for his handling of the crisis[[[5]]. Critics argue that Piolle’s approach to security has been compromised by “ideological blindness,” leaving the city vulnerable to the whims of drug traffickers and gang members[[[6]].
A City in Need of Solutions
In an effort to stem the tide of violence, Gérald Darmanin, the French Minister of the Interior, has announced the deployment of a CRS-8 unit, specializing in urban violence, to secure the city [[7]]. However, some argue that this measure falls short of addressing the root causes of the problem. The debate surrounding the arming of municipal police has been reignited, with many calling for a more decisive approach to tackling crime and insecurity.
A Contrasting Reality
Despite the dire security situation, Grenoble has been recognized for its commitment to environmental sustainability, earning the title of European Green Capital in 2022 [[8]]. The city’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and promote eco-friendly initiatives are undeniable, but they are undermined by the growing sense of insecurity that pervades daily life.
Conclusion
Grenoble, the French Chicago, is a city torn between two opposing narratives: one of beauty, innovation, and environmental stewardship, and another of violence, fear, and insecurity. As the city grapples with its growing crime problem, it is imperative that its leaders and citizens work together to find sustainable solutions that address the root causes of this crisis. Only then can Grenoble reclaim its reputation as a beacon of innovation and progress.
References:
<a href="https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/isere/grenoble/syndicat-alliance-police-compare-grenoble-chicago-francais-1527624.html" target="blank” rel=”noopener”>[1]
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Grenoble/comments/jtfs2q/safetyconcerns/”>[2]
<a href="https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/eric-vaillant-procureur-de-grenoble-je-navais-pas-vu
