Watch: Laguna Beach Cops Want To Get You Talking to Your Neighbors

Submitted by the Laguna Beach Police Dept.:

In an effort to help facilitate a virtual neighborhood watch and a disaster preparedness program, as well as foster neighbor-to-neighbor communications, the Laguna Beach Police Department has partnered with Nextdoor (www.nextdoor.com), the private social network for neighborhoods. The City will go live on Nextdoor Monday September 16th.

Nextdoor is free for the residents and the City. Each Laguna Beach neighborhood has its own private Nextdoor neighborhood website, accessible only to residents of that neighborhood. Residents can use their website to get to know their neighbors, ask questions, and exchange local advice and recommendation. For example, neighbors use Nextdoor to share information about neighborhood watch and safety issues, how to better prepare for a disaster, local events, and much more.

Neighborhoods establish and self-manage their own Nextdoor website. Information shared on Nextdoor is only visible to verified members. The Laguna Beach Police Department will be able to post important information, such as crime updates or disaster preparedness tips to Nextdoor sites within the City. The Police Department will not be able to access the resident’s websites, contact information, or content.

“In this day and age, it is vital for neighbors to come together and look out for one another. Nextdoor makes it easy for neighbors to establish virtual neighborhood watch and help combat crime” said Nikie Hernandez, Community Services Officer. “Nextdoor will help create a stronger and safer community that we call home.”

Nextdoor was specifically designed to make neighbors feel comfortable sharing information with one another in order to build stronger communities. All members must verify that they live within the neighborhood. Information shared on Nextdoor is password protected and cannot be accessed by those outside the neighborhood or found on Google or other search engines. In addition, Nextdoor never shares personal information with any third parties.

The City of Laguna Beach has been mapped into fifteen different neighborhoods. Those interested in joining their neighborhood’s Nextdoor website can visit www.nextdoor.com and enter their address.

If you have questions about your Nextdoor website you can contact Nikie Hernandez, Community Services Officer,  nhernandez@lagunabeachcity.net, or 949-497-0382.