Parents Vote on Relocating French Kindergarten Near Drug Trafficking Hub

Decision follows safety concerns after drug-related incidents at Émile-Zola Kindergarten in Saint-Ouen, with temporary relocation proposed by April's end.

Parents of Émile-Zola Kindergarten students in Saint-Ouen are voting on whether to relocate the school due to its proximity to a major drug trafficking area.
The vote was prompted by safety concerns after incidents like a nitrous oxide canister being thrown into a school window and drug packets found in the playground.
The municipality has proposed a temporary relocation by the end of April and a permanent move by September 2025 to nearby facilities.
Mayor Karim Bouamrane supports the relocation as part of broader efforts to combat drug trafficking through urban renovations and surveillance measures.
Critics argue that moving the school could symbolize a retreat of public services from contested areas, despite assurances the building will house other public functions.