These days it's easy to do just about everything from behind a screen. We shop online, text and chat with friends and neighbors on apps or on social media, and now we can even use our smartphones to talk to someone at our front door!
While all of this technology can be very useful and even fun, we aren't getting to personally know the people who live and work in our neighborhoods like we used to, yet they are the ones who are nearby and can quickly help us when we need it. Safe, caring neighborhoods start with good neighbors who look out for each other, notice things and support each other.
The Madison Police Department's Good Neighbor Project is a community safety program that encourages you to make an effort to personally get to know some of your neighbors. This helps build a neighborhood social support network that's always there when you need it. Madison Police officers are part of that support network. We not only work in your neighborhoods, but many MPD officers and detectives live in, grew up in or have friends and family who reside in your neighborhoods. We are eager to get to know you and to partner with you to solve problems and to help keep all of our neighborhoods safe.
Your Good Neighbor Project can involve two people, a small group of neighbors or even your entire neighborhood! Decide what works best for you. To get started, check out the Good Neighbor Project Starter Kit and resources:
http://www.cityofmadison.com/police/community/good-neighbor-project/