Are social networking sites destroying our neighborhoods?

Do you want to live in a front porch neighborhood or a social media neighborhood? Interesting question.

Reposted from James Schriever, Kansas City Central Patrol daily crime report

If you aren’t subscribed to Jim Schriever’s Daily Crime report, here’s an interesting post he sent out today.

“It’s almost daily that I receive questions on security concerns related to social media websites and their impact on neighborhoods.

Even though I do believe social networking sites can play a positive role in communications, we are starting to see adverse effects on neighborhoods as well.

You have heard me speak numerous times that social networking does not take the place of an actual call to police.

Now, we have to say that social networking does not take the place of being a good neighbor.

From the 1800’s to around the 1960’s we had a design of neighborhoods that were labeled “front porch neighborhoods.” Houses built with large front porches and close together so neighbors would socialize with each other, look out for each other and help each other. The true definition of a neighborhood.

In the 1960s to even today, “back deck” neighborhoods were developed. Houses were built with basically no front porches but contained a large deck on the rear and were spaced further apart. This concept took away the eyes and ears of the residents being able to notice the activity on the street.

And today, were are in a trend called “social media” neighborhoods. Neighbors talk from behind a computer or know each other only by their postings on social media pages.

But who is behind that terminal and what is their motivation or the truth to the information they are posting.

I recently told of a posting where an item was found, attachments were made to the posting linking that item being used as a bomb. Before long my phone starts ringing with concerned people that a bomb was found in their neighborhood.

I also recently had a conversation with a poster who appeared to antagonize everyone in a neighborhood watch. When asked why he chuckled and said “I love to get them going and stir the pot”.

Every day, social networking sites are popping up that are convenient, but take away that “neighborhood” concept.

Check out this story by our Community Partner Sarah Clark from Fox 4 News. Afterwards, take the survey on your thoughts about providing personal information on social networking sites.

To our Central Patrol Neighborhoods who use social networking but will never give up that “neighborhood” concept….Thank You! For those who are social network neighbors, let’s work in putting that personal neighborhood concept back together, It will make a difference on the crime and disorder.”

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