Police in Vantaa are now empowered to break up unauthorized camps within the city limits and remove individuals from such camping sites without being specifically requested to do so by city officials.
To date, there has been little unauthorized camping seen in Vantaa, but according to the city's head of preparedness and response, Jouko Sillanpää, the intention was to establish a policy before any possible upswing.
"There have been a few small camps, some tents and cars, for example in the woods near the Myyrmäki sports park and a few in Tikkurila on the Sponda lot. However, it is now expected that more foreigners than ever, without a place to stay, will be coming. We want to be ready for this situation," Sillanpää told Yle.
In general, police can take action against unauthorized camping on private land only at the request of the landowner. If people are camping out in buildings considered to be unsafe or if they cause a disturbance, the matter can be turned over to the police by a fire inspector, environmental inspector or building supervision official.
Sillanpää says that with the new regulations in place, he hopes that camping will stay under control.
"It has to be assumed that people live in houses, hotels or at regular camping sites, not just anywhere in the open air."
