Seeking to stem conflicts and help develop neighborly bonds between all Davis residents, the city of Davis, in association with UC Davis and the Associated Students of UC Davis, have organized their second-annual Davis Neighbors' Night Out.
After a widely successful launch last fall that featured more than 30 separate events, this year's program already has more than 60 participating groups, with more expected to join by the event's Oct. 20 date.
'Building community'
"The most common phrase that I heard from people who participated [in last year's event] was 'community building,'" said Anne Brunette, community partnership coordinator for the city of Davis. "I think it's so great and important that all citizens in Davis have embraced this opportunity."
The goal of Davis Neighbors' Night Out is to create a strong line of communication and relationships for all community members, but especially between off-campus students and their neighbors. It is aimed at neighborhood and homeowner associations, Neighborhood Watch captains, and apartment complexes, though any individual residents wishing to host an event are encouraged as well.
"It's not a good use of public safety resources for a neighbor to call the police to ask someone to turn the music down," said Michelle Johnston, the health promotion supervisor at the Cowell Student Health Center at UC Davis. "We encourage students and non-student neighbors to get to know each other before any problems occur so they can communicate concerns directly and avoid bad feelings."
Get involved
Suggested event ideas include an ice cream social, a potluck dinner or barbecue, a dessert party or cookie exchange.
Davis Neighbors' Night Out is scheduled for noon to 9 p.m. Throughout the day, guests from the city and the university will be driving around making appearances at the various parties. Last year, neighbors got surprise visits from special guests that included the mayor, city council members, UC Davis Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef and other campus officials.
For more information or to apply online to host an event, visit: http://www.city.davis.ca.us/neighbors/.