[Reader-list] Paris is safe

[Rana Dasgupta]

came across  this yesterday when browsing for maps of paris.

it is a notice on a hotel booking site reassuring potential tourists 
that paris is, despite what they have heard, perfectly safe.

thought the language was interesting.  "the media blurred the lines 
between Paris and its suburbs.  Paris remains Paris.  Paris is not its 
suburbs."

R



http://www.hotel-paris-france-reservation.com/paris-hotels/paris-hotels-paris-arrondissement-15.htm

News : Is Paris Safe These Days?


Despite all the media hype, the situation here in Paris is quiet and it 
is "business as usual".

The portraying of Paris as a city under civil strife is simply untrue.

The mass media simply blurred the geographical lines between Paris and 
its suburbs.  Paris remains Paris, nevertheless. Paris is not its suburbs.

In the last 2 weeks Paris has only seen two isolated instances of 
hooliganism within its walls. Both incidents did not last more than 1/2 
hour.

Why is Paris quiet when the suburbs aren't?

For one thing, the police force in Paris is strong, well armed, and very 
efficient in its interventions. Suburban thugs rarely look for trouble 
in Paris as they know full well they would be promptly arrested, and 
thrown in jail.

Secondly, Paris is rich, and does not face any of the problems 
afflicting certain suburban areas. To put it bluntly, the troublemakers 
do not live in Paris: they can't afford the cost of housing.

So Paris has remained very quiet throughout the recent events. You are 
and will be perfectly safe in Paris. Probably even safer than usual 
since more policemen are patrolling the streets.

To their credit, the media correctly reported that the commotion is now 
receding: the troublemakers are being neutralized by the police and the 
army. They will be brought to justice. Count on the French government to 
do just that.

As far as you are concerned, there is no need for you to cancel your 
travel plans. There was no civil strife in Paris in the first place.