In response to an alarming spike in drug-related violence, including shootings and intimidation of youth, cities in France such as Nîmes have enforced nighttime curfews for young people under 16. The measures aim to safeguard minors from exposure to violence, although incidents continue to occur despite the initiatives.
French Cities Enforce Curfews Amid Rising Drug-Related Violence
French Cities Enforce Curfews Amid Rising Drug-Related Violence
As violence linked to drug trafficking surges, several French cities implement curfews for minors to curb the risks and tensions.
In an effort to combat the escalating violence associated with drug trafficking, several cities in France have enacted curfews for minors, restricting their movement at night. Nîmes became the latest city to implement such measures after a troubling series of violent incidents, including public shootings and the murder of a young man whose body was discovered partially burned on the city's outskirts.
The curfew in Nîmes, implemented by Mayor Jean-Paul Fournier, spans from 21:00 to 06:00, and is aimed at protecting under-16s from potential exposure to violence while also addressing the exploitation of youth in the drug trade. "The situation has become untenable," Fournier warned, referring to the climate of fear created by drug traffickers in the area.
Nearby Béziers has had certain curfews since last year, initially for children under 13, which have now been expanded to include those under 15 in specific neighborhoods. The mayor of Béziers, Robert Ménard, emphasized the need for these measures to curtail the mischief of minors venturing out at late hours.
Similar efforts are in place in Limoges, where a curfew for those under 13 has been enforced during the summer holidays. However, Mayor Émile Roger Lombertie expressed frustration with the apparent ineffectiveness of the curfews, noting that recent disturbances involved large groups of young people evading the restrictions.
This trend of drug-related violence is spreading from regions traditionally affected by gang wars, such as Marseille, with a report by the interior ministry indicating that 110 fatalities and more than 300 injuries related to drug violence occurred in France this year. In response to this crisis, government officials have pushed through legislative measures aimed at bolstering the fight against drug trafficking, including the establishment of maximum-security prisons for top traffickers and enhanced powers for law enforcement.
Justice Minister Gérard Darmanin recently announced the transfer of some of the most dangerous drug traffickers to a high-security facility, emphasizing the government's commitment to combating this growing problem. Nonetheless, concerns persist over the capability of current measures to effectively curtail gang violence and protect vulnerable youth in French cities.
