Community Policing in the capitol city of Reykjavik is under the control and direction of the Crime Prevention and Research Division. In addition to traditional patrol methods, the city also has officers on roller skates and bikes in certain areas. In addition, there are five precincts within Reykjavik which are manned during the day. An officer, social service workers, and a former drug offender go into the public schools, usually eighth through tenth grades, to dissuade adolescents from substance abuse. This program was adopted from Norway and introduced in Iceland in 1998.
Police force works with the organization of shop owners and offers seminars on robbery prevention.
The police in Reykjavik are attempting to address the issues and problems of their city through a number of alternatives. Time, and a close examination of these police actions and subsequent crime rates, will tell if such concerted efforts will have long lasting positive results for Iceland s capital city. For more information, contact Dean Van Bibber Criminal Justice Department Fairmont State College 1201 Locust Ave.