In the heart of Maurepas, a couple stops in front of the Pôle associatif de la Marbaudais (PAM). The doors of the building, aged by time, are closed. Can't get in without first calling a number for someone to come and open. It's always like this when the municipal library, located on the 1st floor, is closed, specifies a regular visitor.
This “exceptional closure”, as the sign at the entrance indicates, is not insignificant. “Following the events of the weekend, the City, in consultation with its agents, and in the context of school holidays where numbers are reduced, has decided to close the library for a few days,” confirms the municipality.
The events in question: the two shootings which broke out last week, against a backdrop of war between dealers for the control of drug trafficking. Even more dramatic, a child was seriously injured in the head on Saturday evening by two stray bullets. He was in the car of his father, known for drug trafficking. After leaving the neighborhood, the man was chased by an armed team. The chase ended in gunfire. And by this young collateral victim, whose vital prognosis still remains compromised. A new milestone reached in this clash between rival gangs which has been going on since the summer.
Facing daily violence
The library is not the only one to temporarily shut down. The Clair Detour location, which works to integrate young people aged 16 to 30, will also remain closed this week. As for the specialized educators of the SEA 35 association (Child to Adult Safeguarding), they too have decided to no longer go to Maurepas for the moment. Professionals confronted on a daily basis with this violence, usually confined to the night, which is now expressed in broad daylight. Some witnessed attacks and even shootings.
“It’s a decision that we took with them,” assures Vincent Marchand, general director of SEA 35, also present in other Rennes districts. We will see at the beginning of next week with the employees how to renew the system. We don't want to expose them. With the current tensions, the work of these seasoned professionals is in difficulty. »
Between fear and the desire to continue
Within the PAM, a few association employees are nevertheless present. “The atmosphere is heavy. There are no children in the streets, even though it is school holidays,” comments one of them. Another continues: “Now we have shootings during the day. When I go out, I no longer listen to music and I stay attentive. » Patrick, a Secours populaire volunteer, confirms: “Today, yes, everyone is afraid. »
A few streets from here, Antoine is alone in the climbing gym of the Cercle Paul-Bert, where he is an employee. “This is the first time we have canceled training. We went on standby this week mainly to alert the public authorities. » And he warns: “We reserve the right, if insecurity persists, to relocate our equipment. We do not want to put our members in danger. Some no longer want to come for this reason. »
Should we abandon the land? Professionals and volunteers know it better than anyone: their work is essential to help the inhabitants of the district, one of the poorest in Brittany, to get by. And to counterbalance the spiral, as much as possible. This employee refuses to give in: “Even if our family no longer wants us to come and work here, we don’t want to stop. It's important to continue. »
