Good neighbors needn't do big or burdensome things to be GREAT neighbors - but they can take some simple steps to make theirs a GREAT neighborhood by being active and taking some important steps:

1. Create a roster of each house or apartment on your block or street. Include address, names of adults, children, animals; phone & email and make sure every household has a copy. Hand deliver to those who don't "do" email.
2. Have an initial meeting to see if you can appoint a leader or co-leaders, and then schedule to meet once or twice a year, to address issues if there are any, and, just as importantly, to get to know each other better over shared food.
3. Set up a system to let each other know if help is needed by or for a neighbor, or if you're going to be out of town, and who to call if a problem arises.
4. Make use of neighborhood resources (community or local papers, posting areas and blogs) as ways to stay informed & connected.
5. Use your systems to ward off possible trouble: when unsavory "solicitors" approach one end of a block, House #1 can use the list to notify those living farther along and possibly phone the police.
6. See if your local government has a "block watch" program." In Seattle, you can sign up with block watch. In these programs a police officer is available to come out to help you get organized.
7. Be part of the annual national Neighbors' Night Out. In Seattle full details can be found on the Seattle Police Night Out website.
8. Consider holding a block-wide event: garage sale or possibly a holiday party.
9. Connect with the Department of Neighborhoods for ideas, for matching funds for local projects, for support of new idea. Seattle's ideas.

We'd love to hear ideas and programs from your community that have helped created a safety net to help increase its connectedness and security. Send us other ideas for creating a strong, supportive neighborhood and we'll share your ideas with our readers.