How well do you know your neighbors?

• How many of your neighbors do you know by name?
  
• Would you watch over your neighbors home if they were away?
• Would you bring them food if one of their family members were sick, or had died? Would you even know?
• Would you call the police if someone was breaking into their home or car? Or would you even care!
• If you were in the middle of an emergency do you know who you could turn to for help?
• Do you know your neighbors kids, their dog?

If your answer is, I don't Know who my neighbors are! Than it is time for you to go outside and meet your neighbors. Here are some suggestions on what you could do to meet the challenge of meeting your next door neighbor.

A smile can go a long way. It makes a person feel noticed and acknowledged, a smile can brighten up someones otherwise down day.

Say Hello, it only takes a moment to say the five letter word.

This summer complement your neighbor on their yard. You could take them a cold drink of ice water while they are mowing the yard.

Once you get to know your neighbor share a meal with them it doesn't have to be a full course dinner just a sandwich and chips will do. Or you could invite them over this summer for barbecue. Or it could just be cookies and coffee.

Join or start a walking group. This will allow you to see your other neighbors and get to know who lives where.

Knowing your neighbors can bring a sense of security. It is nice to be able to have some one to go to for help or being able to help your friend. Leaving for vacation, get to know your neighbor. Get involved with those around you, know who they are, look out for them and they will look out for you, smile and say hello, and they will respond in kind. You never know when you might meet your very best friend. When you know who is living around you, if you get to know them well, you will see that you feel safer at night.

How to be a better neighbor:

• Be considerate, don't play loud music or make excessive noise late at night.
• Offer to pick up their paper and keep an eye on their place when they are gone.
• Let them know if something is suspicious near their home.

City connect Channel 30

http://www.shawneeok.org/CityConnect Be sure to watch the latest City Connect Episode 8 aired on 2/29/2008. The topic of this episode is the Community Relations Officer in the City of Shawnee. Among other things the Community Relations Officers teach us about safety and crime prevention. From the web site for city connect.

Ideas for improving our neighborhood

1. We could start a community cooking exchange or pot luck program
2. Start a community equipment sharing program: lawn mowers, leaf blowers, weed eaters, etc. which not everyone can afford by themselves, but are necessary to keep the neighborhood looking good.
3. Walk around the neighborhood a few times a week- to learn the names of your neighbors pets included.
4. Take turns mowing the lawn for someone who cannot.
5. Going out side to play games with the neighborhood kids.
6. Getting to know our elderly neighbors that might need our help.