In the short term the D.P.U.—which Trinquier describes as forming “a flexible bond bond between the authorities and the populace”—undeniably produced results. It was through its information that Ben M’hidi had been caught, and, according to Trinquier, it meant that “no Muslim was able to enter the European quarters without being reported”. But in the long run it was to place the “loyal” Muslim block-wardens in a thoroughly invidious position, often resulting either in their assassination or in the end of their loyalty to France.

XREF: Recalls the Roman-era quadrillage antecedents and later urban surveillance maps like the 1990s 'mapping' of American cities — a recurring pattern of spatial control via block-level informants.

Horne, Alistair, A Savage War of Peace- Alge…, loc. 588