GITeS, the shield of troubled neighbourhoods

Faced with rising antisocial behaviour in some sensitive neighbourhoods of the Toulouse area, a new public-order force has come into being. The Groupement Interquartiers de Tranquillité et de Sûreté (GITeS, inter-neighbourhood peace and safety group), funded by social housing landlords at no cost to tenants, has set itself the mission of restoring security and social ties in these troubled areas. With trained and now sworn officers, this specialised unit, backed by the State, operates every day to prevent nuisances, stamp out vandalism and give residents a peaceful living environment.

Behind an unassuming front, at the end of a cul-de-sac in a residential neighbourhood, lies the base of the officers of the Groupement Interquartiers de Tranquillité et de Sûreté (GITeS). With its barbed wire and austere appearance, the place resembles a military zone, a small bastion where the reconquest of troubled neighbourhoods is being prepared.

This carefully equipped building houses teams made up of former soldiers, police officers, gendarmes, firefighters and security guards, all trained as soon as they arrive. “Their main mission is to carry out daily prevention and technical surveillance patrols in apartment blocks in Le Mirail, Soupetard, La Roseraie and Cugnaux”, explains Rémi Vincent, managing director of GITeS.

An investment with no impact on tenants

GITeS runs on funding of 2 to 2.5 million euros, provided by five social housing landlords. This substantial investment, borne entirely by the landlords, is not passed on in tenants’ service charges, which is essential to keeping the housing affordable. In addition, the State supports the initiative with a grant of 20,000 euros, thereby recognising GITeS as a public service mission...

Find out more in Défense Zone magazine #16, available in our online bookshop and in your Premium subscriber area.