“They are delinquents”: the prefect of Hérault denounces the illegal installations of travelers and recommends solutions

François-Xavier Lauch wants a strong criminal response and find a lasting solution for this group. Midi Libre – Michael Esdourrubailh

François-Xavier Lauch encourages traders who are victims of illegal encampments to file complaints. He also calls for a strong criminal response and wants to bring everyone around the table to find a lasting solution.  

Traders were the target of racketeering by a group of travelers in Saint-Jean-de-Védas: your reaction ? < /p>

This situation is intolerable. It goes back a long way. They are not traveling people, we must not mix everything up. These are perfectly identified offenders. They are known by the elected officials of the sector,  Pérols, Montpellier, Saint-Jean-de-Védas whose anger I understand. They regularly move their camp while evading the law.

They go from Cambacérès to Pérols, Saint-Jean-de-Védas, Cournonterral: how to put an end to this wandering ?

They move from goal to goal and escape the regulations set by the Besson law. This regulation allows the prefect to expel them by administrative decree. On two conditions. The municipality or intercommunity must be in compliance with the departmental plan for Traveler areas. The Montpellier Metropolis is not despite the very significant catch-up. But I cannot take this type of order when they settle on private land in commercial zones. They know it and deliberately settle there. 

What solution then ?

It is twofold. First file a complaint, especially when there are racketeering attempts. The legal cases of these families are getting worse. Traders can apply to the judicial court for summary proceedings, which makes it possible to obtain an eviction decision very quickly. I systematically provide assistance to law enforcement. This group, which knows the regulations very well, generally leaves just before. We have been confronted with this case once since my arrival. They go to another area and you have to start the procedure again. This is not satisfactory. 

What do you suggest ?

I alerted the public prosecutor on this sensitive and lively issue. No doubt in penal treatment, we must have firm answers. We cannot be satisfied with the theft of energy, the damage caused and deterioration. Occupying parking is detrimental to businesses. Second point: I will bring together the mayors concerned, the prosecutor, the state services concerned such as the DDFIP to examine tax monitoring. We also need social monitoring of these people who are settling down and finding a place. I will invite the collective of traders. No more than they or the elected officials, I find the situation acceptable. At the same time as we show our teeth, we must find a channel for discussion with them. This can't last. I can't believe that these families are happy to live in such a state of health while undergoing forced evacuations.

Should we change the law ?

A prefect applies the law and does not comment on it. I will not say that there is a legal vacuum. The Besson law is based on a simple principle: we give communities the right to issue prohibitory orders as long as they are in compliance. This applies to public lands. Evacuation is a short-term solution. I am going to defend the metropolis: their situation does not correspond to what the reception areas are designed for. If the situation were simple, my predecessors would have resolved it a long time ago. Both the prosecutor and I are taking the case head on. 

I subscribe to read more