Why Be Neighborly?

Jul 09, 1998

WHY BE NEIGHBORLY?
A Kettering Foundation study on ?“Citizens and Politics?” discovered that although people are interested in community involvement, they rarely engage in personal relationships with their neighbors. The study also discredits the theory that citizens are apathetic, self-absorbed or too busy to get involved.
The fact is that most people simply do not know how to effectively engage people and the issues in their neighborhood. The reason? Society?’s traditions have changed, leaving people feeling socially isolated in their own communities.
Your quality of life can be linked directly to the relationships, however casual, that you develop with your neighbors. Those who connect with their community experience better health and lower poverty rates while the community develops better school retention, more effective government and less crime and violence.
How to Start
Knowing the names of each person in your building or on your block is step 1. Sometimes all you need is a good excuse to talk to your neighbor. Try some of these:
1) Make your first meeting with a neighbor a friendly one, rather than a complaint about the barking dog or loud music.
2) Offer some useful advice about an upcoming Aspens event or issue.
3) Make a point to stop at the pool to introduce yourself.
4) Notice and mention your neighbor?’s hobbies. Say something like,?” How is the rollerblading going??”
5) When you are planning a yard sale, let your neighbors know and invite them to submit a few items (see the community garage sale event listed in upcoming events)
6) If you experience a break-in or have learned about a nearby robbery, give your neighbors a heads up.
7) Ask your neighbors to keep an eye on your house while you are on vacation. Offer to do the same.
8) Be open to talking when a neighbor says, ?“hello?”.
9) Celebrate the National Neighborhood Night Out, August 4th with an evening barbecue.
10) Start or join the Neighborhood Watch Group (see article this issue.)