It all starts from a survey published on Instagram last week. “Are we taking the kids from the ZUP? Yes or no,” asks a user whose post has been deleted since its publication. The Internet user was talking about the Plan district, in Valence, in Drôme. Threats which seriously worried parents, ready to take their children out of school. This Monday, national and municipal police patrols were reinforced around the neighborhood’s schools. 20 minutes make the point.
A survey on Instagram
In the middle of last week, an Instagram account, now untraceable, caused panic in the Plan district in Valence by asking, via a survey: “Are we removing the kids from the ZUP? “. Before being deleted, the publication was seen by a group of parents from the Pierre Brossolette and Jules Vallès schools who then alerted, through a letter, the public authorities on Friday evening of these “threats of kidnapping”.
Asked by France Blue, these parents said they were ready to “take their children out of school” if measures were not taken. They thus demanded “substantial” reinforcements from law enforcement near schools as well as being received by the prefect of Drôme and the mayor of Valence.
Measures taken by the prefecture and municipality
“We reacted as soon as we received the email,” assures the mayor of Valence, Nicolas Daragon. “A meeting has already taken place this Monday morning,” he continues. And we have also strengthened, alongside the national police, our municipal police patrols. Staff are also on site for school outings. And we will maintain this system for as long as it takes to restore calm. »
The municipality also filed a complaint for “disturbing public order”. “We can find the author of this message,” insists the elected LR, annoyed by these “threats under cover of anonymity”. An investigation has also been opened regarding the survey.
The mayor adds: “But it remains a publication on social networks, a place where many stupidities and inconsistencies can circulate, in particular to give rise to psychosis. It deserves that we be careful, given the tense situation in the neighborhood, and that we take all the necessary precautionary measures, but I call for calm and to remain reasonable. »
Another meeting, organized by the prefecture in the presence of the mayor and the parents’ collective, should be held during the week.
A “guerrilla” climate that has reigned for months, even years
If these threats of kidnapping were taken seriously by the parents, it is because a “guerrilla climate” has reigned for months in this district of Valencia. Last June, a fight broke out between two groups of individuals, including one from the Fontbarlettes district, in front of parents and children. Death threats had been made. Two schools were then closed, with teachers exercising their right of withdrawal. CRS had been sent to secure the scene for the rest of the week. A month earlier, four people were shot and killed in ten days.
Faced with this situation, the town hall ensures that it is “doing its utmost” within its field of competence. “Mediators are present in the neighborhoods, the municipal police have been reinforced, there is also a home for everyone,” quotes Nicolas Daragon. We continue to have a proactive approach with state services on the subject with significantly greater security than in the rest of the territory, due to its status. »