Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske Launches Nextdoor -- A Social Network for Neighborhoods
Nextdoor enables residents to communicate online in a secure website to build stronger communities
(LONG BEACH, CA; June 6, 2012) – As part of her advocacy of involving the residents of the Fifth Council District, Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske announced today the availability of Nextdoor (www.nextdoor.com), a secure social network for neighborhoods to foster neighbor-to-neighbor and citywide communication.
Starting now, residents within the Fifth Council District can use Nextdoor to create websites for their specific neighborhoods. Enrollment enables individual residents to form relationships with their neighbors by asking questions and exchanging local advice and recommendations. Topics of discussion on Nextdoor are as varied as local events, school activities, babysitter recommendations, plumbing advice, disaster preparedness, recent crime activity, upcoming garage sales, or even lost pets.
“I believe that when neighborhoods are more engaged, the city is stronger,” says Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, who discovered Nextdoor when searching for a way to help connect the 11.5 square miles that comprise the Fifth Council District.
“Nextdoor will help create a tighter bond between the resident and the neighborhood in which he or she resides. We will be able to utilize this network to make residents more aware of their neighborhood -- which is especially important should be ever face a disaster such as an earthquake."
Schipske says she was particularly excited to see the developers of Nextdoor interested in the very same things as she:
· "We are for neighbors.
· For neighborhood barbecues. For multi-family garage sales. For trick-or-treating.
· We're for slowing down, children at play.
· We're for sharing a common hedge and an awesome babysitter.
· We're for neighborhood watch. Emergency response. And for just keeping an eye
out for a lost cat.
· We believe waving hello to the new neighbor says, “Welcome” better than any doormat.
· We believe technology is a powerful tool for making neighborhoods stronger, safer places
to call home.
· We're all about online chats that lead to more clothesline chats.
· We believe fences are sometimes necessary, but online privacy is always necessary.
· We believe strong neighborhoods not only improve our property value, they improve
each one of our lives.
· We believe that amazing things can happen by just talking with the people next door.
· We are Nextdoor. We are simply you and your neighbors, together."
Nextdoor has specific features which enable neighbors to communicate information with one another. All members must verify their address within the neighborhood. Information shared on Nextdoor is password-protected and cannot be accessed by those outside the neighborhood. Information entered will not show up on Google or any other search engine. In addition, Nextdoor never shares personal information with any third party. Unlike an email listserv or other online group, neighbor posts are organized and archived for future reference.
“I am really excited to be using Nextdoor to get to know more of my neighbors,” said Sarah Ireland, member of the El Dorado Park Estates Association. “I hope it will make us more connected and an even better neighborhood.” El Dorado Park Estates currently has over 300 neighbors using Nextdoor today.
Any resident of the Fifth Council District interested in joining their Nextdoor’s neighborhood website can visit www.nextdoor.com and enter their address. "You don't have to be an organized neighborhood to set up a neighborhood website on Nextdoor," reminds Councilwoman Schipske.
"If Nextdoor is available in a specific area of the Fifth Council District, you can immediately sign up. If a Nextdoor website has not yet been established for their area, active and engaged neighbors are invited to apply to bring Nextdoor to their neighborhood."
