Lögberg-Heimskringla - 02.03.1984, Blaðsíða 1

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Lögberg
Heimskringla
LÖGBERG Stofnað 14. janúar 1888
HEIMSKRINGLA Stofnað 9. september 1886
98. ÁRGANGLIR INNIPEG, FÖSTUDAGUR 2. MARZ 1984 NÚMER 8
Armed robberies in Iceland
Crime increase in Reykjavík
Iceland has often boasted of less
crime and violence than any other
country in the world and may well
have every right to do so. Although
far from peaceful, during the first few
centuries of its existence, the nation,
could do without both police and jails
as it grew older. Minor crimes were
either dealt with by a magistrate or
the victims took matters in their own
hands and settled the issues, normal-
ly without violence.
But the last few decades have seen
the "modernization" of Iceland.
Reykjavík has gradually changed
from a town to "the big city"
although only inhabited by a little
over 90,000 people. No dogs allowed.
Crime of various nature normally fol-
low such a development and in that
matter Reykjavík unfortunately is no
exception. Until recently, organized
crime was unheard of and police had
little problems in solving the break-
ins or forgeries or whatever, as the
criminals were "old friends" of the
authorities.
Murders were but a few but have
increased during the last twenty
years or so; some never solved. Drug
related crimes have similarly in-
creased and so has the use of illegal
drugs. But cleverly planned, armed
robberies were scarce until recently
when history was made.
Sources in Iceland say that shortly
after closing time, one bank teller
heard a knock at the back door of her
bank and as is customary went to
answer the call. She caught a sight of
a stranger, holding an empty paper-
bag in the snowstorm and as any
good woman would do, invited him
in to warm up. He capitalized on
Icelandic hospitality, walked straight
to her booth, emptied her drawer of
cash, thanked her kindly and walk-
ed out. Unable to move or speak, the
innocent teller let him go. She will
probably think twice next time she
hears a knock on her door but the
stranger may strike again as he is still
at large. He obviously must either be
a total fool or a clever thief. What are
the chances that anyone will let a
stranger into a bank after closing
time? Next to nil. Only in Iceland, eh?
A week later, three men took a taxi,
asked the driver to take them to an
isolated area, overpowered him once
there, and drove back into town.
They knew that at a certain time,
after closing, one or at the most two,
A winter day in Reykjavík
Ingólfur Arnarson, the first settler of Iceland, "watches over" the
winter play of four youngsters at Arnahóll, in the centre of Reykjavík.
liquor store employees take the in-
come of the day to a bank safety box.
They also knew that every other
Icelander buys booze on Fridays so
naturally they waited outside the
bank a little after six. Sure enough,
here were the delivery boys but were
not to hand over the money although
threatened with a shotgun. Guns are
such rarities in Iceland that the or-
dinary citizen normally laughs at
anyone pointing something resembl-
ing a gun at him. Many a-would-be
robber was thus overpowered by his
would-be victim. But these bandits
had the real thing and fired a warn-
ing shot. They got the money without
any more struggle.
So in one week two major rob-
beries in a city where guns are just
about as scarce as dogs. Security
guards in banks are unarmed and
quite often in their sixties, so an easy
prey for armed robbers. It is obvious
that some steps will be taken to pre-
vent such crimes. Bank tellers, for ex-
ample, will undoubtedly be in-
structed not to answer knocks on
back doors, even security guards will
also be denied that privilege. But let
us hope that they will remain unarm-
ed and also the police.
Grant Sigvaldason awarded
Manitoba Host Family Scholarship
Grant Sigvaldason, Arborg, a first year student in the Diploma in
Agriculture program, University of Manitoba, is presented with the
$500 Manitoba Host Family Association Scholarship by Rask
Klagenberg, its President, of Selkirk. This award is presented to a son
or daughter of current members of the M.H.F. Association who is
entering a first year program in either Agriculture or Human Ecology
at the University. The award is bascd on academic achievement,
leadership, and citizenship.
Grant is the son of Barney and Ethel Sigvaldason, Arborg, who have
been M.H.F.A. members for eight years. Grant graduated from Ar-
borg Collegiate Institute last June, and was also the 1983 winner of
an Arborg and District Agricultural Society Bursary.
Others in the photo include, L to R: Dr. Bob McGinnis, Dean, Faculty
of Agriculture; Mr. Klagenberg; Grant Sigvaldason; Barbara Lepp, Elm
Creek and Hank Reise, both of the Manitoba Host Family
Associations.
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