Exhausted by the nuisance linked to crack trafficking, residents of the Stalingrad district in Paris have been expressing their anger for several weeks.
Campaigning for the regional elections, Valérie Pécresse, president of the Ile-de-France region, candidate for her re-election, went there on Saturday, accompanied by Rachida Dati.
In Paris, drug traffickers and crack users continue to ruin the lives of the people of Stalingrad. In an attempt to keep dealers and consumers away, the city has decided to group them together in a public garden. During the election campaign, Valérie Pécresse, president of the Île-de-France region, went on site, to the Jardin d'Éole, in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, in the company of Rachida Dati to meet exasperated residents.
This park is indeed the center of many political tensions.
In mid-May, the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, wanted to dislodge crack dealers and consumers who gathered on Place Stalingrad, in order to relieve local residents.
The town hall of Paris therefore opened the Eole garden to them until 1 a.m., angering the residents of the district, who organize weekly demonstrations and demand security.
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"50% to drug addicts and 50% to families"
The park in which Valérie Pécresse and Rachida Dati go is littered with zombie men and women, their eyes glaucous. "I came with Rachida Dati because we decided that now, that was enough", launches the presidency of the Ile-de-France region, candidate for his re-election. The residents quickly flocked, placards and leaflets in hand, against the gathering of crackers in their children's park. "This park is cut in two: 50% to drug addicts and 50% to families! This is what the public authorities have allowed to do!", Denounces a resident of the district. "It's hell, really it's hell. Every morning, we are assaulted. Every day!", Replies another, while a third asks what the solution is. "The region is ready to get involved with the State and the town hall of Paris",answers Valérie Pécresse.
At Les Jardins d'Eole with @datirachida to denounce the negligence of the government & the city of Paris in the face of drug addicts and crack dealers, who plunge the inhabitants into distress between Stalingrad & La Chapelle.
The region is ready to play its full part in the solutions!
pic.twitter.com/vAVRDoz8wT
- Valérie Pécresse (@vpecresse) May 29, 2021
Detoxification centers closed
In the garden of Éole, the president of Ile-de-France came to make promises: that of investing in closed detoxification centers.
For this, Valérie Pécresse is already seen unlocking "millions", and bringing the subject to the Prime Minister.
"Once the crackers can be directed to other structures, it is to wage a merciless war on all the dealers because it is no longer possible," she adds.
"I grew up in this neighborhood, we haven't discovered crack for some time ...", reacts a resident.
"I'm afraid you go around like all politicians, and then nothing changes!"
The inhabitants are however willing to repeat the campaign program, as if to foresee the end of their ordeal: to have seen in no time their occupied district, by a few hundred, then more than a thousand drug addicts.