After the town of Porrentruy in canton Jura prohibited people from neighbouring France to use its municipal pool, another Swiss city, Basel, is following suit.
The municipal council has limited access to the pool in Porrentruy betwee July 4th and August 31st — in other words, the entire summer.
This drastic step stems from “numerous cases of misconduct” by young people who have come to the facility from neighbouring communities in France.
As The Local recently reported, the incidents involve “harassment of young women, inappropriate language, swimming in underwear, and even violent behaviour after being reprimanded.”
This measure extends only to people who live across the border; French citizens who have a Swiss work or residence permit are exempted from this rule.
Basel as well
Like Porrentruy, Basel also lies very close to France; in fact, it shares a border with the French city of Saint-Louis.
Some of Basel’s public pools also report experiencing “problematic behaviour, including harassment,” instigated by bathers from across the border, according to Steve Beutler, head of the Basel Sports Office.
“This phenomenon has never been as blatant as this year,” Beutler said.
It includes aggression, disrespect, and failure to follow hygiene rules — such as entering the water without showering or keeping one’s underwear on — all of which are on the rise.
But that’s not all — Basel police reported that in the past five weeks, they have intervened about 10 times at the Gartenbad St. Jakob swimming pool, mainly for altercations and thefts, committed primarily by people from France.
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What is being done to combat this problem?
The canton is taking various preventive measures.
“Security personnel will be increased to better enforce the rules,” Beutler said. “If necessary, entry bans will be issued.”
Also, stricter dress codes may be implemented for hygiene reasons.
They would include allowing only tight-fitting swimsuits and swim briefs, to prevent the wearing of underwear underneath.
‘Switzerland is an example for us’
Especially in the case of Porrentruy, the reactions to the ban vary widely.
The Federal Commission Against Racism, for instance, said that this measure tarnishes Switzerland’s image; it is therefore essential that “a proportionate and non-discriminatory” solution is found.
However, French deputy Matthieu Bloch, has a totally different view.
Rather than criticising the ban, he supports it, he told the Porrentruy authorities during a recent visit.
“I’m telling you very clearly, the decision of the Porrentruy town hall is completely legitimate.”
“If only we had the same resources and the same culture as Switzerland, we would perhaps have fewer problems,” he added. “There is a certain laxity in France that we do not find in your country. You are an example for us.”
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