On purpose, explains to Figaro the mayor LR of the commune Philippe Marini, an experimental proposal was submitted to the cabinet of Bruno Retailleau on November 11.
To try to curb the scourge of urban rodeos, the town hall of Compiègne (Oise) wants to authorize, as part of an unprecedented experiment, municipal and national police officers to “mark” the perpetrators of this crime using paintball, learned Le Figaroconfirming information from RMC. This experiment would also include the use of drones – which the city already has – to track participants remotely.
On purpose, explains to Figaro the LR mayor of the commune Philippe Marini who wants to fight against this “major irritant in the neighborhoods”a proposal for an experiment was submitted to the office of Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau on November 11. The councilor must go to Place Beauvau “in the coming days” to discuss his request.
50 motorcycles seized since 2020 in Compiègne
Concretely, the weapons would be loaded with cartridges containing a marker: a paint undetectable to the naked eye, impossible to remove and which is only revealed in the light of an ultraviolet (UV) ray lamp. The goal is to better identify and, de facto, better condemn the participants of urban rodeos. “All this, obviously, must be done at the request of the public prosecutor and while respecting strict guarantees and precautions”adds Philippe Marini.
An initiative that does not please all Compiègne politicians, who consider that this is only an effect of “electoral communication”. “After 35 years in office, Philippe Marini is overwhelmed by the phenomenon of delinquency and rodeos in Compiègne where no district of Compiègne is spared”indicates Etienne Diot, opposition municipal councilor (Renaissance). Before adding:“It is urgent to rethink the doctrine of our municipal police which must be islanding, proximity, visibility and deterrence through the physical presence of “blue” in the street. It’s his role, rather than escorting the mayor’s car around Compiègne on a motorcycle with flashing lights.”.
Since the law of August 3, 2018, which strengthens the sanctions, the Ministry of the Interior has decided to make life difficult for participants in urban rodeos. In 2023, more than 86,000 anti-rodeo operations were recorded, giving rise to 5,342 arrests, 71,429 fines and the seizure of 3,153 devices. The number of convictions has for its part increased significantly: from 534 in 2019 to 1,270 in 2022, according to the Ministry of Justice.
Compiègne is no exception: since 2020 and the establishment of an ad hoc site used to collect information, 50 motorcycles have been seized, of which 13 have been destroyed.
