WARNING: This weekend, the police are tightening up on riots and disturbances around Oslo. Photo: Harald Henden
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The police warn of fines of up to 13,000 kroner after several weekends with what city council leader Raymond Johansen (Labor Party) calls the “carnival atmosphere”. – There are limits, he says.
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– There has been a bustling life in Oslo the last few weekends. There are a lot of people and happy people who want to enjoy the summer, the heat and bright nights. I can understand that, says police chief in Oslo Beate Gangås.
She and city councilor Raymond Johansen stand on top of St. Hanshaugen, where the police are waiting in heaps of party-happy young people this summer weekend.
After Oslo reopened and the summer weather found its way to the capital, more people have taken to the parks and bathing places. At St. Hanshaugen, there have been up to 3,000 partygoers in one night.
– The challenge will be if you become a nuisance to others. We want people to take back the urban space. We think it’s great that people enjoy the summer in Oslo and Asker and Bærum, but we are also concerned that it will not be troublesome for other people, says Gangås.
She emphasizes that most people behave well, but loud music and party noise late at night have bothered many neighbors to the parks.
Alerts fines
If there is too much noise, the police will first give verbal orders.
– We want to talk to people and be out early to give good advice. We must continue with that. But we see that some do not follow the orders, then we resort to stronger means, warns Gangås.
– We will tighten the enforcement of disorderly conduct, noise and littering, she continues.
Gangås warns of fines between 8,000 and 13,000 kroner for those who do not follow the police order this weekend.
Drinking in a public place can lead to fines of 2,500 kroner.
In the last two weekends, the police have registered 15 disturbances that have led to five fines, two of 10,000 kroner, one of 19,000 kroner and two of 20,000 kroner. Some of the fines are for several cases and concern several places in Oslo.
One illegal home party with too many participants was also registered.
Music facilities have also been taken into custody by the police. At St. Hanshaugen alone, 15 music systems were taken into custody last weekend.
—-LOUD: In the last two weekends, the police have registered 15 disturbances, which resulted in five simplified fines. 15 speakers were taken into custody last weekend. Photo: Police
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– I have informed the police patrols that they should be on the offensive, be early on with good oral advice, but also give fines if that is what is needed, says Gangås.
She also reminds that it is still forbidden to drink alcohol in a public place.
– We have no intention of pursuing all the little things and actually have a policy where people should be allowed to enjoy the outdoor space. But it is starting to become a problem of order, she says.
– How do the police prepare for the weekend?
– We target our business at what we call “complaints”, where we experience that people react to behaviors such as noise, littering and such. It can be parks and bathing places, says Gangås.
—-PRESENT: The police will be in place in the parks early to give advice and verbal orders if there is too much noise. Photo: Harald Henden
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– Carnival times ten
The Chief of Police receives support from City Councilor Raymond Johansen. Both Johansen and Gangås are clear that the parks should be accessible to everyone, including those who walk the dog the next day.
The municipality has put out extra containers for people to take the rubbish with them after the party.
– There has been a carnival atmosphere, relaxed. But there are limits. I understand that many young people have been isolated and put their lives on hold, but the pandemic is not over, he says.
Johansen says that he himself has walked through the park one night until Saturday.
– It’s carnival times ten. It is not okay to bother so many people with loud music that families with children have to stay in hotels, he says.
– Have you received feedback about it?
– Yes, also in this area.
– There is a strong request for a warning that there are limits. Have fun, but show consideration. And these huge portable music systems can be heard far away. They can ruin the night’s sleep for many. We must remember that there are a lot of people living close to the parks, says Johansen and continues:
– I understand that you want to party and have fun. But the parks should be accessible to everyone. We do not want to get into a situation like elsewhere in Europe where we have to close the parks at night, he says.
– Have you considered it?
– No, says City Councilor Raymond Johansen.
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