The northern part of Marseille is home to the poorest of the poor. Half of the area's  young people are unemployed, a fact that plays into the hands of arms and drug dealers. For years the projects have been controlled by gangs who are waging a brutal conflict with each other. So far politicians have proved ineffective in restoring order. Police and other officials are giving the area a wide berth. Residents are largely left to cope on their own in the troubled housing projects. Now the mayor is calling for the army to be sent in.