Neighborhood watch

The neighborhood watch logo in Reykjavík.

Neighborhood watch is a joint initiative between Reykjavík City and its residents, built around neighbors working together on prevention.

Neighborhood watch has long proven to be an effective tool in reducing home and vehicle break-ins as well as general property theft. In areas with an active neighborhood watch, vandalism has also declined.

The primary goal of neighborhood watch is to deter crime on your street or in your neighborhood while bringing residents together to create a safer, more enjoyable community.

Apply for a neighborhood watch sign

Good neighbors - good city

In a neighborhood watch, residents serve as the "eyes and ears" of their street or neighborhood. Connect with neighbors on your street to discuss neighborhood watch and how to carry it out.

Our goal is to build a friendly, trustworthy, and resilient community in Reykjavík. Keep the following guidance in mind when participating in neighborhood watch.

What neighborhood watch involves:

  • Keeping an eye out for vehicle and pedestrian activity around nearby homes
  • Ensuring mail does not pile up in a neighbor's mailbox
  • Putting trash in a neighbor's trash can when they are away for an extended period
  • Parking your car in a neighbor's driveway
  • Walking up to a neighbor's home occasionally when snow is on the ground to make the house appear occupied

Signs and stickers

Residents can have neighborhood watch signs installed on their street after meeting the City's issuance and installation requirements. Each sign costs 11,098 króna.

 

Neighborhood watch stickers are available for windows near entry or balcony doors.

 

Stickers are available at the Reykjavík City service center at Borgartún 12-14 and at Reykjavík City Hall. 

Apply for a neighborhood watch sign
Neighborhood watch sign installed on Stararimi in Grafarvogur

What do I need to do to get a neighborhood watch sign?

Rules for issuing neighborhood watch signs

  1. All Reykjavík City residents may apply for a neighborhood watch sign.
  2. The applicant must confirm that consultation occurred with residents of the relevant street or area by checking this statement in the application: "I confirm that I have consulted with residents of the street and that we have agreed to participate in neighborhood watch."
  3. The applicant covers the sign's production cost, following the manufacturer's fee schedule. Each sign costs 11,098 króna.
  4. Reykjavík City covers the installation cost.
  5. Reykjavík City determines the sign's final placement based on traffic safety, technical considerations, and other planning factors. The City considers the applicant's preferences as much as possible when making that determination.

Responsibility

  • Reykjavík City handles selecting the sign's location and carrying out its installation.
  • The applicant ensures all information in the application is accurate and confirms consultation with residents occurred.
  • Installing neighborhood watch signs on municipal land requires Reykjavík City's consent.
Aerial view of the area and surroundings

Helpful tips

Most break-ins occur at night while neighbors are asleep, or during the day when residents are at work or school.

  • Always keep front and back doors locked — even when someone is home
  • Avoid leaving valuables in plain sight where passersby can easily see them from outside
  • Thieves have occasionally slipped into building entryways to steal wallets, phones, or car keys left in plain sight
  • Having a neighbor hold a spare key
  • Installing good outdoor lighting connected to motion sensors
Major busy roads in Reykjavík

Before you travel

  • Never leave valuables in vehicles
  • Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your home
  • Let neighbors know which individuals are likely to be seen around the house, and provide a description and even the license plate number of those people
  • Do not post on social media that you are going away on a trip
Neighborhood watch is a joint initiative of Reykjavík City, the capital area police, and local residents, centered on neighbors working together to prevent crime.

The right response

  • Call the police immediately at 112 and report the break-in.If you return home to find your home broken into, do not touch anything until the police arrive.
  • The burglar may still be on the premises.Use caution — do not enter the home if you think someone may still be inside
  • If you notice an unfamiliar car parked outside, record the license plate number — for example, by photographing the vehicle.
  • A community where neighbors come together to build safer, stronger, and more engaged neighborhoods