In Nice, the public prosecutor has warned of the explosion in juvenile delinquency since January

Le Figaro Nice

The figures speak for themselves: + 43%. This is the increase in the number of minors brought before a judge in Nice since the start of the year compared to the same period in 2023. An alarming data reported by the Nice public prosecutor, Damien Martinelli, in his solemn return speech to the court, Friday October 4. The magistrate wanted to provide some indicators on criminal activity “marked by very strong intensity” in recent months on its jurisdiction.

He thus made it known that despite the 36% increase in sentences imposed from the beginning and 84% of community service sentences (TIG), the situation at the Nice remand center remained “very difficult”. In February, the occupancy rate of the men’s quarter was, for example, 153%. It is 192% as of today. “There is an obvious capacity problem and unfortunately no plan for a new penitentiary establishment for the area”he lamented. And to wonder: “How can detention be useful in these conditions?”

Fight against drug trafficking

On the aspect of minors, Damien Martinelli pointed out an increase of 23% in judgments handed down and 76% in placements in pre-trial detention. “But an important part of the response to juvenile delinquency is linked to the treatment of the networks in which they operate. I reiterate our attention to human trafficking which targets minors”he indicated. An allusion to the situation of all these young foreigners in an irregular situation who, barely arriving on the national territory, are enlisted in drug trafficking, in particular to commit violent actions, such as sometimes bloody settling of scores. And the prosecutor continued with a note of hope: “We will progress, I am sure of it, and I am delighted with the quality of the exchanges put in place, particularly with the PJJ (Directorate of Judicial Youth Protection, Editor’s note)».

As for drug trafficking, considered a potential scourge on the Bay of Angels, Damien Martinelli reiterated his desire to put an end to the infernal spiral, the same one which led to the death of seven people in the neighborhood sensitive Les Moulins, west of Nice, on July 18, in a dramatic arson linked to drug trafficking. “For the city of Nice alone, over the first 8 months of 2024, I delivered almost 400 identity check requisitions, more than double compared to the same period in 2023”he declared.

Between June and the end of August, for the Nice East sector, also marked by several violent acts, seven judicial inquiries were opened with around twenty indictments and as many incarcerations. Five immediate appearance procedures concerning nearly fifteen people in total were also ordered. “Regarding partnership action, we are going to update and extend to other lessors the agreement which binds us to Côte d’Azur Habitat”he said. Prosecutor Martinelli also endorsed the proposal of the mayor of Nice, inspired by the Grenoble model, to see dealers’ information shared with the CAF so that dirty money is reinstated in their income tax return. “It is indeed a relevant system that we will work to put in place here as well”he confirmed.