But did you know that the most effective alarm system on the street is probably just having a cup of coffee across the way? Social monitoring in Dutch neighborhoods is incredibly high during the holiday season, although we do need to give that monitoring a helping hand.

The neighborhood's invisible shield

Our large-scale neighborhood survey shows that the Dutch are incredibly vigilant for one another. A full 74.1% of respondents indicate that they keep an extra close eye on things as soon as they know their neighbors are on vacation. This means that three-quarters of the street acts as an unpaid security service while you are at the beach.

However, there is a significant catch: nearly half of the Dutch (49.7%) almost never know exactly when their neighbors are going on vacation or away for the weekend. That massive 74% vigilance therefore immediately loses its value. After all, if your neighbors think you are just at home, they won't be quick to raise the alarm if there is an unknown van in the driveway or if strange lights are on in the evening.

The social structure of safety

The level of safety and social monitoring varies greatly by target group and region:

- Vigilance increases significantly with age: those over 60 score an impressive 1.9 (out of 2) on paying attention, compared to 1.6 for those under 30.

- Residents from the North are most likely to give their neighbors their house key, while the South is slightly more reserved.

- Unfortunately, single-person households often form a blind spot. They are the least likely to know when neighbors are away and are less likely to share their key.

Turn your neighborhood into your alarm

The conclusion is simple: social safety depends on communication. An observant neighbor only works as a burglary prevention system if they know your house is empty. Therefore, follow these three golden rules before you load up the car:

1. Inform the neighborhood watch: Stop by your older neighbors or the families on the street. Tell them exactly when you will be away. After all, they are the most observant.

2. Hand over the key: Do as they do in the North and hand over that key (score 1.8). Ask if they would mind opening and closing the curtains or emptying the mailbox occasionally, so the house looks lived-in.

3. Share emergency numbers: Ensure your immediate neighbors have your mobile number so they can send you a quick message if they notice anything suspicious or have doubts.

Do your neighbors already know when you're packing your bags? Have a quick chat about it today!