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Life Would Be Easier If People Were Neighborly

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 25, 2008

The happy marriage, the big house with the white picket fence and two point five children - it's the American dream. So what happens when your neighbors turn that dream into a nightmare?
Neighborhood disputes are the number one civil complaint received at the Sheriff's Office. Deputies hear it all, from the neighbor who throws the loud parties, to the one who constantly gives the other dirty looks.

So what should you do when your neighbor trims your shrubs by accident, or one of his guests blocks your driveway? You should talk to that person.

People don't communicate with each other anymore. Where residents once gathered for block parties, they now barely look at each other when throwing out the trash. Developing a good relationship with people on your street is a useful and mostly untapped resource.

The neighborhood watch program was developed with the belief that your neighbors are your biggest ally against crime. If you have taken the time to meet them and become familiar with their habits, then you will know when something or someone does not belong at their house. Deputies are rarely in the right place at the right time to catch a crime in progress. Most of the criminals we do catch in the act are because we received a tip from a witness who recognized that something was amiss on their street.

But don't wait for the people around you to step up. Build cohesiveness in your area by being an exemplary neighbor yourself. Make it a point to meet everyone on your block. Don't wait until tomorrow. Do it today while it's still fresh in your mind.

Respect boundaries and make it a point to not encroach on the personal space of others. This means not blocking someone else's driveway or walking your dog in their yard. It also means not playing your music too loudly or having wild parties. And if you are going to have a party, invite your neighbors or at least have the courtesy to make them aware of it, and give them the option to go out for the night. And remember that the county noise ordinance states that there is not to be any noise between 10 p. m and 8 a.m.

Don't allow your children to trespass on your neighbor's property. If your child loses a ball over a fence, teach them to knock on the door and ask for it.

Fireworks are illegal in the state of Florida. Before setting them off, make sure your neighbors are okay with it. A complaint to law enforcement can result in an unnecessary arrest for you.

If you know that someone is going out of town, offer to watch his or her house and pick up their mail. If you help your neighbors, they will help you.

Use common sense. Don't throw a party at 3 a.m. on a work night when others around you are trying to sleep.

Organize a monthly barbeque or pot luck dinner and take turns hosting it. Or, make your monthly dinner a neighborhood watch meeting. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office will help you to get started. After all, it's easier to love thy neighbor when you are all working together to reach a common goal.

Charity Arthur is a patrol deputy for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in the northwest area of Hillsborough County. If you have questions for her or suggestions for topics for her crime-prevention column, she can be reached at (813) 247-0330 or c

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