Do the neighborly thing




 

 

Do you know your neighbors?

That used to be a silly question. Time was, everybody on the block knew everybody—even the names of kids and pets.

Because of today’s hyper-technological society, it’s more likely you’ll run into your neighbor on Facebook than in the front yard. Conversations over the white picket fence are slowly becoming a thing of the past.

But common sense suggests that meeting one’s neighbors in person has its benefits.

According to the sheriff’s department, keeping the lines of communication open with people who live next to you is the best way to prevent a neighborly disagreement from boiling over.

In the summer months—when the weather warms up and more folks are outside at the pool, manning the barbecue or having friends over to the house for a party—neighbors can become frustrated by the cars on the street, the loud music or even the smoke from the grill.

Oh, and there’s also the barking dog.

But if you know your neighbors, it’s much easier to approach them about a problem. It’s tough to get someone to respond to a request for turning down the noise when you’re meeting them for the first time.

What’s more, knowing your neighbors is one of the best (and cheapest) ways of protecting your home against burglary.

Neighborhood Watch groups work well because people who know each other and their lifestyle patterns are more likely to notice when a burglar decides to pay a visit and haul away the high-definition television from the house next door.

Deputies can’t be everywhere, but chances are good there’s at least one person at home on a block at any given time. Those are your eyes and ears.

So take a moment in the near future, walk the few steps to the left and right of your front door and meet the neighbors who live beside you.

You’ll probably meet someone who cares as much about the neighborhood as you do.


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