I've heard more than one cop say that knowing one's neighbors makes for a safer neighborhood. The reasoning is that people become familiar with who "belongs" on a particular street, and who might look out of place.

Neighbors who know neighbors are likely to call said neighbors when they see a moving van pull up and start loading up next door, and they know the neighbors aren't moving. They're also likely to collect mail and newspapers when neighbors are out of town, therefore eliminating criminal welcome mats.

OK, did I say "neighbors" enough in those two grafs?

Some neighbors on McCommas Boulevard recently conducted a crime watch meeting and social hour so they'd have a chance to meet each other and make records of phone numbers, become familiar with schedules and who works at home, for example, so they can keep track of neighborhood happenings.

They passed out a handy form on which a person can record the names and phone numbers of the people who live in surrounding houses. It looked like a good idea, so we thought we'd share it with everyone.

The people from whom we bought our house, the Donica family, left us a hand-drawn map of surrounding houses with associated names and phone numbers, and it's come in handy more than a few times.

Besides, meeting neighbors might just lead to a new friendship or two.

Cue the sappy violin music.

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