One of the greatest benefits of living in the city is having neighbors. We watch after one another and help keep one another safe. A good neighbor will ask questions if they see something out of the ordinary. A good neighbor will call you if they see your child acting inappropriately. A good neighbor is trusted to have an extra key to your house, or can check on your mail while you are away. A good neighbor can be asked for just about anything in a pinch and will come through if they are able.There was a time when folks knew all of their neighbors, but this is often not the case any longer. Our busy lifestyles and both parents working outside of the home have given us more that just latch key kids. It is not uncommon anymore for people to not know their neighbors. In some cases, the only thing they can tell you about their neighbor is the kind of car they drive. This is truly a sad commentary for any community.
It should be a common courtesy to introduce yourself to any new neighbors you may have within the first two weeks of their move into your neighborhood. Perhaps some type of house warming gift would be in order, but a warm smile sure goes a long way even if your hands are empty.
Are you feeling embarrassed because you do not know your neighbors and you have lived in the neighborhood for some time now? There is no time like the present! Break the ice and take the first step. You might be surprised at all the life you have been missing.
4 comments:
I do know my neighbors. That didn't prevent my DH from being jumped in OUR backyard defending OUR home from a roving group of teenagers who's mothers can't remember which guy knocked her up. That did not prevent my neighbor from having his car keyed. That did not prevent 2 teenage boys getting jumped on 2 separate occasions 2 weeks apart on 8th street. That did not prevent cars parked next to the bridge downtown getting egged. Knowing my neighbors means that I have people to talk to. It does NOT mean I have a more obvious police presence. It does not mean that at 3:30PM every day I feel it's okay to look away from the kids walking down my street 98% of whom ARE good kids.
Jill,
It sounds like you are a great neighbor, and I agree with you that most of the kids are not a problem.
I feel you may have missed the main point I was trying to make with the post, and that is:
Good neighbors cover your back when you do not see something coming. Perhaps someone observed that group of boys in the neighborhood before they created a problem for you. This could have been reported and an officer sent to the area before your altercation. We need to be more proactive for one another rather than simply consoling one another after there is a problem.
Being a "good neighbor" does not mean we will not be the subject of criminal acts, but, if others are "good neighbors" on our behalf, these incidents may be limited or eliminated altogether.
Sometimes these incidents occur when most neighbors aren't hanging out in their back yard (late at night or wee hours of the morning) or standing guard at their windows. Hopefully it won't have to come to a 24-hour duty guard schedule to protect our neighborhood. There is just no reason young teens should be roaming the streets at these hours.
Rick, I agree about the "roaming at all hours" issue. Perhaps the idea of an age based curfew should be examined.
I would also suggest additional lighting in dark, problematic areas on anyone's property. Combined with motion detectors, they can be a very effective deterent at the times you have mentioned.
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