GRESHAM WELCOMES 'FACEBOOK FOR NEIGHBORHOODS'
News Release from City of Gresham
Posted on FlashAlert: August 12th, 2014 8:29 AM
GRESHAM, Ore. - The City is partnering with Nextdoor, the private social network for neighborhoods, to deliver important information to residents using Nextdoor as a way to share information on public safety issues in their neighborhoods as well as community events, activities and services.
As a new Nextdoor partner, the City can now share its own news about services, programs and events to these private neighborhood sites, as well as post emergency notifications to help keep residents safe. Residents on Nextdoor can also send private, direct messages to the City. While being a municipal partner doesn't grant the City access to neighborhood conversations, it does open up a new channel for two-way communication with residents who opt-in for City alerts via Nextdoor.
Nextdoor is free for residents and the City.
Aaron Abrams, manager of Gresham's Office of Neighborhoods and Community Engagement, said the online network is a boon to busy residents who want to connect with their neighbors. At home, at any time, residents can get online to swap information on car prowls or graffiti, get recommendations on babysitters or restaurants, and organize block parties, park cleanups and other neighborhood events. Abrams said Nextdoor will be a powerful new communications tool for the City, allowing departments to get important news out quickly.
"I'm really excited about Nextdoor," Abrams said. "It combines the content of a community bulletin board, the engagement of Neighborhood Watch, and the functionality of Facebook. This is a great tool to help build stronger neighborhoods."
Nextdoor is catching on in Gresham. To date, 13 of 16 neighborhoods have launched Nextdoor sites, which are accessible only to residents who verify that they live in the neighborhood. The Gresham Butte Neighborhood Association now has 115 Nextdoor members after ramping up its site this spring, and President Mads Ledet said the network has great potential.
"The site feels like your back fence," Ledet said. "You can start to see persistent neighborhood problems - like speeding - bubble up online and begin to talk about long-term, lasting solutions."
Nextdoor is just one example of a new wave of digital engagement tools that the City Council has directed staff to push forward with this year to make connecting with City Hall easier than ever.
Residents who want to learn more about Nextdoor, or join a Nextdoor network, can visit www.nextdoor.com and enter their address.
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As a new Nextdoor partner, the City can now share its own news about services, programs and events to these private neighborhood sites, as well as post emergency notifications to help keep residents safe. Residents on Nextdoor can also send private, direct messages to the City. While being a municipal partner doesn't grant the City access to neighborhood conversations, it does open up a new channel for two-way communication with residents who opt-in for City alerts via Nextdoor.
Nextdoor is free for residents and the City.
Aaron Abrams, manager of Gresham's Office of Neighborhoods and Community Engagement, said the online network is a boon to busy residents who want to connect with their neighbors. At home, at any time, residents can get online to swap information on car prowls or graffiti, get recommendations on babysitters or restaurants, and organize block parties, park cleanups and other neighborhood events. Abrams said Nextdoor will be a powerful new communications tool for the City, allowing departments to get important news out quickly.
"I'm really excited about Nextdoor," Abrams said. "It combines the content of a community bulletin board, the engagement of Neighborhood Watch, and the functionality of Facebook. This is a great tool to help build stronger neighborhoods."
Nextdoor is catching on in Gresham. To date, 13 of 16 neighborhoods have launched Nextdoor sites, which are accessible only to residents who verify that they live in the neighborhood. The Gresham Butte Neighborhood Association now has 115 Nextdoor members after ramping up its site this spring, and President Mads Ledet said the network has great potential.
"The site feels like your back fence," Ledet said. "You can start to see persistent neighborhood problems - like speeding - bubble up online and begin to talk about long-term, lasting solutions."
Nextdoor is just one example of a new wave of digital engagement tools that the City Council has directed staff to push forward with this year to make connecting with City Hall easier than ever.
Residents who want to learn more about Nextdoor, or join a Nextdoor network, can visit www.nextdoor.com and enter their address.
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