Suspicious behavior? How to prevent crime in your neighborhood

New campaign against undermining crime

On January 13, the campaign Strange or suspicious? starts. This initiative by the Ministry of Justice and Security and the police raises awareness among Dutch citizens about organized crime. People learn to recognize signals of criminal activity and what they can do. This makes neighborhoods safer. This campaign is an important step towards more engaged citizens in the fight against crime.

The urgency is high: violence, drug waste, and explosions in residential areas. Minister David van Weel emphasizes the need for this campaign:

“Criminals disregard the safety of others. However, citizens can make a difference. They are often the first to notice suspicious situations and can report this to the police or share it with each other. Remember that good citizens are in the majority.”

An ordinary house with many cameras, a renovation where large tanks are brought inside - these are examples to watch for. The campaign includes TV commercials and online banners aimed at recognizing suspicious signals. Next steps include contacting the neighborhood officer or reporting to Crime Anonymous.

Hanneke Ekelmans from the police discusses community involvement:

“Everyone can contribute to safety. If you see something strange, report it! Together with the community, we can tackle crime.”

Strange or Suspicious? is the first campaign from Keep Crime Out of Your Neighborhood. The Ministry of Justice and Security collaborates with the police to raise awareness of organized crime. Joeri Jansen states:

“The commercials show recognizable situations, making people aware of the actual impact of undermining crime.”

Visit the website Houdmisdaaduitjebuurt.nl for more information on how to recognize suspicious situations and what you can do.