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Noumea and the city’s towns remain unsafe. On condition of anonymity, business leaders revealed they were encouraged to pay people to deliver on promises to “protect” their companies. These pressures suggest illegal organizations are taking root in certain communities amid a backdrop of widespread fear.
As law enforcement is strengthened, violations are declining in New Caledonia. However, the grim reality is increasing: businesses that have not been destroyed by thugs are being pressured and even blackmailed. In order to survive, bosses find themselves facing a dilemma: either accept illegal and expensive security services or risk their companies being reduced to ashes.
An unnamed entrepreneur told NC that he chose the first option.. “My company was not affected when the riots broke out on the night of May 13. Nor were they affected in the days that followed. But that relief was soon replaced by fear that I, too, had become a target.”
And continue: “One day I connected to the security camera of my residence and saw a group of young people committing a burglary on the spot, hacking at the office door with sabers, but the damage was minimal, I was even surprised. Five minutes later, my mobile phone was stolen. “The ring rang and someone offered to take care of the security of my site, they said they knew someone nearby who could work for me, but I thought it would be best to reach an agreement within two months. I had already paid them nearly three million XPF. (25,000 EUR) For a company.”
An outflow of funds that can’t be realized without a little accounting make-up. Never mind that the temporary protector has a proven solution: false invoices (such as fake gardening expenses).
Other bosses have had better luck and are facing offers that are surprising to say the least.”“I have been offered the services of an armed officer to protect my company.” One business leader said.I refused. The conversation took place without pressure. But it became clear to me that these men were neither trained nor authorized for such a mission. We left it at that.”
It must be noted that this practice is illegal on the Caillou. The profession is strictly regulated and only a few professionals have approval that allows them to claim to carry weapons.
Security professionals admit they are aware of the problem.”I know some companies that illegally hire security guards. Also, they avoid talking about security agents and prefer the term “Reception Agent”except for the reception staff on night duty, does not exist at all”, Said the operations director of a surveillance company.
I would also add that there are worse cases.”I know that companies are being extorted. In Nouméa, many are getting out of trouble. But in the Dumbéa and Païta regions, this situation continues.”
>> READ ALSO: Two and a half months later, the Apogoti district of Dumbéa is finding new life
New Caledonia has about 2,000 security personnel, all of whom are strictly regulated: obliged to hold a professional card issued by CNAPS (National Commission for Private Security Activities of the Ministry of the Interior) and have a clean criminal record. But since May 13, in a climate of fear, these principles seem to have been broken. Some opportunists have tried to take advantage of the crisis to the delight of security professionals.
Because supply and demand determine the market,”Prices exploded. Some of my competitors even doubled their prices. A manager of a surveillance company said. We also increased prices during the height of the crisis, including for one-off security requests.”
Today, the services of a live agent cost 2600/2700 francs (22 euros) per hour. I can tell you that we have a lot of activity.
Security Professionals
In this context, security experts contacted by NC la 1ère said they were not disturbed by the development of these illegal organizations. Some even expressed sympathy for business leaders who succumbed to blackmail.The company knew that if they didn’t have someone constantly guarding their premises at night, they would burn down. They did their best, especially since we couldn’t meet all the demand and we were overbooked! ”
“When the economic tsunami comes, our problems will arise because safety means cost. I know many companies do not have enough funds to restart, so I don’t know what will become of us. By then, we will no longer turn a blind eye to these fake security personnel without professional certificates, and we will alert the country.”
How do the authorities view these crimes? Are they aware of the existence of these illegal buildings? According to a police source contacted by NC la 1ère, the police are aware of these pressure campaigns against companies but are not investigating the matter due to the general silence.No one spoke, I regret to the source. “OhHe called us to tell us about the stress they were under and asked for advice, but no complaint was made because the victim feared retaliation.” Therefore, companies prefer to pay quietly in one way or another in exchange for some form of peace.
>> READ ALSO: On patrol with the police in Noumea, two and a half months after the riots began.
These pressures forcing business leaders to recruit are not limited to the security sector. A few weeks ago, the director of a food chain in Poindimiere filed a complaint against a man who was allegedly behind a series of truck blockades in front of his store. An act of alleged threats to obtain for himself contracts for the transport of goods by road. The man, from the town of Touho, was prosecuted for attempted extortion and has since been placed under judicial supervision, assures prosecutor Yves Dupas.
It remains to be seen whether these more or less organized criminal activities will cease with the restoration of order in the archipelago. Or whether they will permanently establish themselves until they become real mafia practices, as is often denounced in Corsica or Sicily.
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