Since the start of the year, around fifteen shootings have taken place in different neighborhoods of the city. The latest, a week ago, saw a 5-year-old child seriously injured in the head. A new episode of extreme violence linked to drug trafficking which has not failed to leave its mark.
Hurrying to go shopping, this retiree who has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years has seen things change: “Before there were deals but less consistently than now. There were those we called big brothers who were present. Little by little, it got worse. Traffic today is everywhere. So we adopt avoidance behaviors, we no longer go to certain places. We are afraid to leave our homes. For example, we go to see our friends but we don't invite them to our house. We have to put up with a lot. The people who decide should come and live our daily lives.”
Traffic and poverty
Same opinion for this other passerby: “Violence is a reality and it scares everyone. When I take the metro, I don't stop at Gros Chêne station; I go to the next one, even if it means having to walk a little more. There are police officers making rounds, we can see it. But there should be islanders, police officers who stay on site. But also take preventive measures to avoid these situations by fighting poverty in the neighborhood.”
Thomas and Eva arrived in the neighborhood two years ago. “The problems facing Maurepas have existed for a very long time. Poverty is widespread there. We need fundamental measures with more support for people to get through it, more diversity. In addition, the violence linked to drug trafficking with weapons of war is worrying to reach these extremes. It shouldn't go up any further. We hear gunshots from our house when there are any. So we avoid certain sectors if we can do it.”
“We have no choice, we are not all going to move”
A little further away, on Place Georges Bernanos, the situation in the neighborhood also comes up in discussions outside the supermarket. With the newspaper under his arm, this septuagenarian has lived in the neighborhood since 1972. “Before, there was no traffic. Now it's done like that openly. We hear gunshots in broad daylight. I have a friend who lives in a house in Gros Chêne. He would like to leave but he has not found a buyer for two years. Drugs destroy everything. Yet there is also a pleasant side to this neighborhood of good people. But it’s a strange mentality that reigns now. It’s not a life.”
This other resident was present last Saturday in the square when shots rang out. “As I was leaving the store there were two gunshots a few blocks from here. I said to myself 'if they come this way, what do I do?'. We have to live with all that. We have no choice, we are not all going to move. We have cameras, the police who come regularly, the CRS who are there now. Above all, we need investigators so that we can find the bigwigs of trafficking who take advantage of the lack of perspective of certain people in life.”
