And then one of you sleeps suddenly on the forest sofa

It almost sounds like the end of a robber's story from Childhood: In a forest in Zollikerberg the police cleared last week, an illegal camp and seven alleged burglars and beggars arrested. In the Zurich forests of the gang is hidden, is exceptional. Not but that people life in the undergrowth – and throughout the year.

people are very aware of back, be Simon Weis, head of the Department of safety and security, Intervention, prevention, Zurich – SIP for short says. Weis’ employees are familiar with these forest people, they visit you every three weeks. "Sometimes you want to not receive social assistance, even if you have to claim," he says.

cold patrols until 2 PM

Depending on the temperature and weather conditions, the SIP, employees are passing more often and intensify the contact. Now, as temperatures again drop below zero, patrolling the SIP, and even up in the morning to 2 o'clock and the forest people and the homeless. "This season we have already carried out some of these cold patrols. It draws slowly."

Generally speaking, you do not accept the SIP and its proposals, says Weis. "It can, of course, be differences of opinion – especially if we are of the opinion that they should be treated by a doctor."

warehouse office kitchen and wood shelf

The SIP Manager believes that currently, three to four people living all year in the woods of Zurich. You know in terms of life in nature. Some would regularly switch between different master courses, if it has them at one point to a lot of people.

"it looks at their bivouacs, that someone is at home and keeps order."Simon-Looking,
SIP-head of Department

Others, a warehouse, a office kitchen and cabinets made of wood for the edibles. "You see it in their bivouacs, that someone is at home and keeps order." Of course, there were, according to Weis also seen cases where someone is dragged all the furniture and mattresses in the woods, or family lives in a forest stand has been established. "I can't, of course. Such places must remain accessible to all."

Surprise for nursery children

in addition to these "Permanent residents" in Zurich's forests, there are also those that are just passing through and only for a short stay. How many per year in a forest for the night set up before you move on, according to Weis, not to quantify. You are likely to notice the rest of the numerous forest users, however, rather than the Old.

While those, namely, to know exactly where you are able to stay, choose the short holder to stay for their bivouacs often, what other like to visit: wind-protected places such as Forest shelters with fire places, canopies of forest huts or clearings, where the forest nurseries have been set up. This can lead to surprising encounters. "It happens from time to time, by travellers on a couch in a crib to sleep. Then we get each of the nursery managers know," says Weis.

sheltered from the Wind place: The forest sofa of a forest kindergarten. (Image: zvg)

In search of the family

the travelers and the SIP is also in contact. It was Europeans – Italians, Portuguese, Spaniards, Englishmen or people from Scandinavia that are here are mostly. Also, Asians have encountered in the woods, says Weis. In General, they were destitute loner, to foot or with the bike on the road because they can't afford the train. "Some of them travel through the world, for example, to locate family members."

The SIP Manager and his staff to leave the forest people and travelers in the grant, although the Bivouac on the urban area is actually not allowed. "We are not police officers," he says. "As long as people keep order, no waste in the forest and in harmony with nature, we will refund any message."

the police on the subject of forest people in a pragmatic way: as Long as you don't interfere, and neither himself nor endanger others, you will be left alone. And as for the gang in the forest in zollikerberg: Five of the seven persons were released, according to police information, in the meantime, out of the prison. Two people remain in custody - one of them due to the slump test.

Created: 02.12.2019, 12:12 PM