Breda Warnings and Dangers

my roomate was robbed on Bernard de Wildastraat, the district full of immigrates and international student, it is usually a safe and peaceful place. but dont come over there too late at night. and bike stealing happened very ofter there.

Every first Monday of a month, exactly at noon you will hear a siren. For one minute this noise will be heard everywhere in Breda.
Living very close to the Dutch Military Academy I always thought that the noise is coming from there. The siren sound is so strong that one may assume that war has started. But the Military Academy is not responsible for it.
All the authorities of Breda want to do is make sure that the siren works properly. This is how when something really happens there will be no problems alerting the residents.
So if you happen to be in the city on a first Monday, don't let the noise scare you.

Breda was known for its beer brand "Oranjeboom" (Orangetree). Belonging to the Interbrew company the brewery was situated pretty much in the city center. All the local bars used to serve this beer if you aked for just a "biertje" without mentioning the brand. Now the Belgian Jupiler is slowly taking over.
Interbrew decided to shut down the brewery in Breda and to decrease the production of Oranjeboom.
Looks like it has a really bad luck. Before known as "Drie Hoefijzers" (Three horse shoes) it later became Oranjeboom and now it is only a matter of time untill the beer brand that was so popular for many centuries disappears completely.

Did I warn you about the local girls? Well, yes, but not really danger for me as I am immune, and there fore I felt very safe in the place and I am not afraid to visit again, hopefully in the near future.

Not to think that new architecture is something from the last decade. In the sixties one already had a style that most people now-a-days rather see disappeared then in their town. In Breda the postoffice is an example of this robust style, in which depressive use of concrete is one of the most destinguesed marks.

Yes, you see it everywhere, but let that not spoil the fun. Anyway I hope that architects and cityplanners start reckoning with the new things they build into historical towns. Often the mixture of new and old hurts the eyes and in Breda just next to the park an enormous block with tower ruins the view (at least for me). Not only Breda, but also Arnhem and all other towns have their share in them ... so just look away to the other side, there's still much beauty to watch.

As restaurants and pubs and discotheques can get crowded, as well as the streets downtown, I advice any visitors to beware of pickpockets.
Otherwise crime is at a low rate. That is if you disregard the IRS (belastingdienst).

Breda is generally a very safe place. One dangerous this you will encounter is traffic. Bicyclists and motorized vehicles are notorious in ignoring trafficlights and right-of-way regulation. Beware and watch your six when walking, cycling or driving!