If you don't know your neighbors knock on their doors tonight and invite them over for poker Saturday night. Tell them to bring the kids/spouses/grandparents and a bag of chips. You supply the beer.

When you see one pull up into their driveway stroll over and greet them before they close the garage door. Most likely they'll talk to you for a few moments. Do this often.

Always smile and wave when you see them. Chat. Borrow a cup of maple syrup, return a full bottle.

Build a phone list of your neighbors. Walk around to each house or apartment, knock on their door and tell them that you are making a phone list of the neighbors and ask if they'd like to be on it and would they like a copy? Tell them that in today's world it doesn't hurt to be prepared. Ask if anyone has any first aid training. If you or your spouse stays at home during the day offer to keep an eye out on the neighbor's place and ask for their work number in case something comes up.

Start with the people you know so that the list has some names on it already when you approach the lesser-known neighbors. Start calling your neighbors and invite them over for poker or a barbecue or a prayer circle or whatever.

Eventually your street will be filled with people watching each other's back. This is a good thing. Hell, this is a GREAT thing!

-Blast, who grew up in a small town and has made everywhere else he's lived into a small town, too. Wait, that doesn't sound quite right...

Love your tagline, sounds like me after a long day.

And I practice your proposal. Who was it here who said that survival was a team sport?

blast -- Great idea. meet everyone, collect info, keep an eye out to help. It'll made your neighborhood a better place.

TRO

Contact your local law enforcement and see if they have a Neighborhood Watch Program.

Some of us live in college towns where our neighbors change every 4-8 months.

It also depends where you are. My friend (also a paramedic) was trying to be friendly in his building and his friendliness stopped when people started knocking on his doors are 3 am asking medical advice such as "what is better contact or dayquil for my cold"... But it is a great idea if you live in the right place.

One word: Kegger!

I spent nine years in college (B.S., M.S., Ph.D.) in places ranging from South Dakota to New York and if I learned one thing it is that beer is the answer. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

-Blast

Alcohol and cigarettes contain poisons that harm out body permanently.

Better word- keep your door open. First time (or two) I was in college, I had my door open if I wasn't busy, sleeping or out, and people stuck thier heads in. Works every time. So does selling Dew for 50 cents a can and stock up when it goes to ten bucks for four 12 packs.

Now that I'm back to upgrade and maybe get my engineer's liscence, I'm doing it, and I've been adopted as a superbrother by a bunch of the younger kids. The ones who have no clue and are dangerous to themselves just by breathing have been invited to go away. The rest... they have promise.

Speaking of promise...
Guilders UP! Any of you goobers lurking here? If so, decloak.

This is a good idea, but should I include the crack houses?