In Rennes, the situation is becoming untenable for residents of the southern districts. Dealers erect makeshift barricades near the deal points, blocking access to the streets and endangering the safety and freedom of movement of local residents. While the City cites budgetary constraints to justify its inaction, the population feels abandoned by both the municipality and the state authorities.
Neighborhoods taken hostage
In the areas of Place de Serbia, in Blosne, and Maison de Sweden, in Bréquigny, driveways are systematically cut off by improvised roadblocks. Worn sofas, broken strollers, abandoned household appliances, and even barbed wire make up these obstacles intended to slow down the intervention of the police.
Dealers collect waste and bulky items thrown away by residents to reinforce their barricades. These obstacles not only hinder the police; they also complicate access to emergency services, endangering the lives of residents in the event of an emergency.
The municipal response: a reflection… and budgetary excuses
Faced with this crisis, the municipality’s response seems derisory. A private company comes in once a week to clear away bulky items. But for police officers on the ground, this responsiveness is insufficient. Faster coordination between road services and law enforcement would be necessary to dismantle these barricades as soon as they appear.
However, Rennes town hall remains cautious, citing a tense budgetary context to justify its lack of responsiveness. This posture raises questions, because at the same time, the City continues to provide a large number of associations with subsidies and to finance projects often contested by some of the residents. Meanwhile, basic neighborhood needs, like safety and cleanliness, take a back seat.
The double abandonment is glaring: the municipality is struggling to take concrete measures, while the national authorities seem overwhelmed by the scale of the phenomenon. The situation, in addition to degrading the quality of life, fuels a growing feeling of insecurity.
The Place de Serbia and the House of Sweden now give the impression of being abandoned territories, where the law of the dealers supplants that of the Republic. For residents, this daily reality is unbearable.
The status quo is no longer an option. It is urgent that the City of Rennes and the national authorities coordinate their efforts to restore order and guarantee security in these neighborhoods. Budgetary excuses and endless reflections must give way to concrete actions.
Rennes cannot afford to see its working-class neighborhoods sink further. The protection of residents, their security, and their freedom of movement must be absolute priorities. By refusing to act, the municipality and the national authorities are denying their responsibilities, leaving local residents disillusioned by the inaction and the gangrene that is eating away at the neighborhood. Will it take a tragedy for the authorities to react, timidly?
Credit photo: wikipedia (cc)
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