Getting to know neighbours strengthens Saskatoon communities

Watch above: getting to know your neighbours has more benefits than knowing the person in your community

SASKATOON – How well do you know your neighbours? It’s a question some in Saskatoon seem to know the answer to while others are still on the fence.

Hampton Village’s community association president Justine McCaffrey has held block parties and many get-togethers so her and her family could get to know the neighbours in their community better.

“I’ve talked to people and they don’t know their direct neighbours or the people down the street,” said McCaffrey.

“I think it’s actually pretty unfortunate that they don’t, I think that our time spent in our new house has been enriched by the people that we met as our neighbours.”

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One of the most important tips police say people can do to stay safe as well as keep their homes secure is getting to know their neighbours.

“It really is about the community banding together watching out for one another, keeping an eye out for suspicious activity and reporting it immediately,” said Saskatoon police spokesperson Alyson Edwards.

The same can go a long way with businesses.

“Word of mouth and the connectivity amongst the neighbours themselves will say have you been to this store, have you been to this coffee shop, have you heard about the new restaurant opening; that network,” said Randy Pshebylo, executive director for the Riversdale Business Improvement District.

As a community association president, McCaffrey believes in the trust and comfort in her crescent but when someone new moves into the neighbourhood, who should welcome who?

She added it can be overwhelming entering a new neighbourhood.

“I think that having someone who’s established in the community or on the block that knows a little bit more people, it would be really nice that they come up to you,” said McCaffrey.

There are 46 community associations located around the city that frequently get together to brainstorm ideas and ways to bring the communities closer together.