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5 tips for National Good Neighbor Day

By: Sean Thompson
| Published 09/27/2016

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- National Good Neighbor Day is Sept. 28, and one local attorney has seen enough cases of neighborhood safety gone wrong to know the importance of community awareness.

“In my experience as a judge, prosecutor and now attorney, I’ve learned that no matter where you live, the utmost concern for all citizens is safety,” said Mike Seiler of the Seiler Law Firm in The Woodlands. “By far, the most effective way to combat crime in your neighborhood is by knowing your neighbors and being informed about each other’s work and lives.”

Seiler recommends people use National Good Neighbor Day as an opportunity to put some of these tips into action with your own neighbors and help fight crime while encouraging neighborly goodwill:

Plan a Good Neighbor Day party

It can be a small gathering held on the street or a big backyard barbecue. Whatever the event, this gesture will help you connect or reconnect with your neighbors and learn about big family events, such as vacations, moves or children at college. A quick catch-up can provide invaluable insight. Remind neighbors to lock their doors when heading out to the party.

Get to know your neighbors – or at least their email address

Life is busy, and people don’t always have time for more than a quick wave hello. While social media is a great way to keep in touch, not all of your neighbors will be on every platform or maybe not even on any. So gather email addresses and phone numbers for use in an emergency or to send out periodical safety information, such as non-emergency phone numbers or local crime alerts.

Know and respect your neighborhood and community policies

From coming to a stop when school buses are present to keeping your dog quiet at night, try to anticipate your role in your neighborhood. Also, being informed will help you avoid official complaints or notices from your community governing board. A big part of a good neighborhood is being a good neighbor yourself.

Learn about your neighbors’ schedules and clue them into your own

Whether it’s the dad who works night shifts or the retiree who’s up at dawn, having a general knowledge of your neighbors’ schedules can alert you to suspicious behavior – and can help them keep an eye on your home as well. For some homes, 2 a.m. movement is normal but 9 a.m. is not: a quick email or text to your neighbor can confirm whether it’s perfectly fine or cause for concern.

Help each other identify safety lapses

We’ve all been guilty of leaving the garage door open too long or accidentally leaving the car unlocked. But you can help your neighbors by grabbing newspapers that are piling up or politely letting them know their front porch is too dark. These are just a few invitations for criminals to gain access to what they might assume is an unoccupied home. By staying informed and informing others, you can ensure your neighborhood is both friendly and safe.



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