With Schengen coming on-line in 2008, does this mean that the border police will be re-deployed to other civic duties, or does it mean that they will become extra vigiliant when it comes to bringing in my shopping from over the border???

whilst you might not be required to show a passport, you will still have to obey the customs regulations for imports.

So no change really - can't remember the last time I showed my passport in a car coming over; in a Swiss-plated car, they've always been more interested in what's in the trunk.

Rob while you are right, the Swiss are hardly interested anymore. It is really just for show. I cross over the border maybe 4 times a week and these days there is somebody actually stood there maybe half the time. And thats during their working hours which are 10am-8pm(4pm on a Saturday)

But in all fairness the powers that be have announced that customs and border control officers will "fall back" in military parliance, and while less controls will be carried at the border per se, there'll be more of them deeper inland - and more at critical hours when the green border tends to be violated.

Living in a border village, I can certainly attest to that.