That's when good neighbours ...

The ex-state house I rent sports an old Neighbourhood Watch sticker on the front window - you know the one; a perfect silhouette family, complete with helmeted cop figure, and the words " If I don't call the Police , my neighbours will." Lately I've wondered - would they really ?

I am lucky enough to be part of a community centred around child friendly activities, good schools and walking buses, so I think in my case I really could rely on those around me in times of crisis. Out of half a dozen homes that directly surround me I am on first name, sugar-borrowing basis with at least four, and in the adjoining streets there are many more families who I consider friends.

But is this the norm ? I've talked to some friends who have said they don't know their neighbours at all - furthermore, they don't want to. We live in a world very different to what it was when that sticker was proudly applied, and some might even say there is a danger in opening your life to local strangers ... after all, you never know, right ?

We have busy lives and sometimes don't keep in touch with those most dear , so why make an effort with potential weirdos in the street who otherwise you'd have nothing to do with ? Or are those potential weirdos the ones who should come first ? Is the idea of neighbourhood watch gone for good or is it alive and kicking in your community ? And if not, is it time for a resurgence?

In my web-trawling around the subject, I discovered http://www.i-neighbor.com/, an American site that connects residents of geograhic neighbourhoods. The goal of the site is to help individuals and their communities organize, share information and work together to address local problems. Launched in 2004, the site now serves thousands of neighbourhoods across the U.S and Canada.

Now we're talking. Neighbourhood Watch as a digital app, perhaps ? Neighbourhood Watch on Facebook ?

Or is the answer to simply stop reading this, go next door and introduce yourself?

Have Your Say New Zealand !