The Love Thy Neighbor List

I'm putting together a list of simple things we can do to make our immediate neighborhoods feel friendlier and safer. Send your additions to katherine.gotthardt@gmail.com and I will add the ones that don't duplicate. Thank you for making the world a better place one neighborhood at a time!

*Look at your neighbor and smile.

*Say hello.

*Wave and smile at children.

*Pet friendly dogs.

*Get your pet to poop on places other than your neighbors' lawns.

*Pick up and properly dispose of trash.

*Offer to help if you see someone struggling.

*If there's a big problem, be open, honest, diplomatic, and kind. (That's a hard one, but take the time and effort to do it. It really does work.)

*Don't assume anything about your neighbors.

*Be sincere.

*"Drama is NOT your Mamma." Remember that.

*Put on pants before you go outside.

*Don't take your neighbors' newspapers.

*Walk around the neighborhood. It make the community feel friendly.

* Don't walk around the neighborhood taking notes about your neighbors so you can turn them in to the Home Owner's Association.

*Work in the yard if you can. This is a great way to meet your neighbors while you make your home look nice.

*If you learn that a neighbor is sick, bring that person something nice - a home baked pastry or cookies, for example.
*If you see someone outside working on their house, stop and say something nice about their house to start a conversation.

* Stop and talk to people. Share something about yourself, opening the opportunity for your neighbor to share information about themselves.

*Don't open your neighbors' mail if it's misdelievered to you. If you do accidentally open it, apologize profusely. RETURN mail that doesn't belong to you!

*Properly bless and dispose of dead animals left lying in the street (squirrels, mice, snakes, etc.)

*Encourage neighbors to donate to causes - american cancer assoc, etc.--let your dogs play with their dogs

*Control, if you can, your own barking dog

*Let neighbors know when you're going to have a party and that there will be a lot of cars around

*Invite neighbors to your parties.

*If you see your neighborhood needs a crosswalk, sidewalk, stop sign or traffic light, find the right people and request it.

*Call the cops if you hear or see something violent going on.

*Ask the police to drive through your neighborhood several times a week at different times of the day or night. This helps people feel safe.

*Ask your community to post visible "no soliciting" signs.

*BE TOLERANT of your neighbors. It could be YOUR DOG that gets out next time.

*Take down holiday decor in a timely manner.

*Remember, everyone is thy neighbor.