Besançon (25): squatting, alcohol, drugs, rodeo… A posh neighborhood transforms into a lawless zone at night. The Green Party mayor decides to turn off the streetlights to calm the situation. The attempt is inconclusive.

Drugs, alcohol, and clashes now punctuate the nightlife of Saint-Amour Square, located between the bars and nightclubs of the town whose 120,000 residents were previously spared the incivility and urban violence that take over many medium-sized towns. All around, young people are also meeting to transform the asphalt into a racing circuit. An "unbearable" situation for local residents, who are calling on the municipality to take action.

" It's quite simple, starting Wednesday, I can't sleep before 3 a.m. ," confides Paul, whose windows have overlooked the square for several decades. He lives in a luxurious apartment with high ceilings, moldings, and herringbone parquet flooring.

“ I was lucky, I considered myself privileged. But today, my life has become hell. During the Covid crisis, while party venues were closed, young people gradually got into the habit of occupying public spaces. But the situation really deteriorated this summer. From the beginning of the week, we have people arriving around 8 p.m. with bottles of alcohol, speakers… They set up, smoke, drink, deal drugs and even get into fights in the middle of the night,” sighs the septuagenarian. “We also have scooters that come to supply all these people with drugs . ” […]

The town hall tried to address this frustration. In vain. On July 11, Mayor Anne Vignot decided to turn off the lights, thinking that the situation would calm down. After a few weeks, the attempt seemed inconclusive, and a general feeling of helplessness prevailed. […]

The Parisian

Thanks to Jérome1