Sunday, May 17, 2009

Throw a block party!!

Do you know the neighbors on your block?

I bet 75% of the world doesn't.

It just isn't the same way it was when I grew up in a small town.I knew everyone including their dogs,cats and horses names.Even after I grew up and moved away from my home town,I got acquanted with my new neighbors,either by going door to door or having a block party to get acquanted.

Other ways to get acquanted with the neighbor hood is to share your expertise in a subjectsuch as Plumbing,Electrical or Woodworking to name a few.A project around the home goes alot faster if you invite freinds and neighbors to help.After the project is complete then you can have a barbeque to show your appreciation.

If you have a neighbor that stands off and away from the crowd you should do a little investigating.

One way is through the Megan website,another is through the County web site Criminal Calender.Some of these sites are free and some cost a few dollars.But I think it is worth it to know your neighbors that do not want to become part of the neighborhood,especially if you have Children.

By watching the following videos,will surely awaken parents to this growing

problem of drug abuse,stolen children,sold children.etc.

Here are a few suggestions to get started;

Call the local Police Dept. and tell them your plans.Sometimes they will put baricades up,to keep traffic from entering that area.

Check to see if you need a permit from city hall.

Make sure you have a sufficient supply of Garbage Containers handy.

Plan the food and drinks. Call it international night and have each family make a dish that is unique to its heritage. Or have everyone bring their own food to grill. This is a surprisingly effective way to get strangers to mingle easily--they feel less awkward with something to do. Have everyone prepare his or her favorite cocktails and munchies for a happy hour. Don't forget nonalcoholic punches for those who don't drink alcohol and for the children.

You may even want a band to play for the group.

Dress up the block with colorful decorations. Buy lots of balloons and have everyone tie them to trees and fences on their property. You might consider a block theme color and decorate accordingly. Ask each family to make a family banner to display on its front lawn. Hang pinatas for the kids. Tiki torches and lots of twinkling lights are festive when the sun sets.

This is making me hungry just writing it.

Enjoy and have a festive time,but by all means get acquanted with your neighbors...

Know your Neighbor..

Community watch programs
The creation of a joint community watch program is aimed at beefing up communication between current community watch groups.

The program's creator, said he hoped the group will help bridge the gaps between neighborhoods.

"I've headed up the community watch for just over a year now, and have had the opportunity to see how neighbors can successfully work together to reduce the criminal activity,The one gaping hole that I've noticed is that a line of communication between the various watches is virtually nonexistent. There is a clear opportunity to take our fight against crime one step further, and I believe the Community Watch is that answer."


Family abductions: The DOJ study estimates that 203,900 children are abducted by a family member.

Nonfamily abductions: An estimated 58,200 children are abducted by a nonfamily perpetrator. On July 15, 2002, Samantha Runnion was kidnapped outside her home by a man she did not know who claimed to be looking for a lost dog.

So, have abductions by strangers increased or decreased? The DOJ study finds:"No scientific basis exists to conclude that there has been a true decline — although it is possible. On the other hand, NISMART–2 results do not indicate an increase in abductions by strangers."

Don't let this happen to your neighbor

People always say he was always a nice guy well he was. Very helpfully he would help me carry groceries up the stairs if I had to, very polite,” she said. But court records paint another picture. Documents show Louis Ayala served 16 years behind bars for first degree robbery and was on parole until three years ago. Court records also show Annette Ayala had filed several restraining orders against her husband in the past two years. One of them reads Louis Ayala, who is Annette Ayala's husband, suffocated her two times. Annette was able to get away. Annette is in fear Louis will come back and harm her again. But neighbors tell us the couple moved in to the apartment together about one year ago. Neighbors say while they had heard the couple screaming and fighting, they never expected this. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence... you can get help. You can call the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault