From the City of San Mateo - Introducing Nextdoor, a Private Social Network for Neighborhoods - More @Nixle
CITY OF SAN MATEO PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of San Mateo Contact:
Donna Divodi, Citywide Volunteer Coordinator, [email protected]
Nextdoor Contact:
Kelsey Grady, Senior Communications Manager, [email protected]
City of San Mateo Introduces Nextdoor, a Private Social Network for Neighborhoods
Nextdoor Enables Residents to Communicate Online in a Private, Secure Website
to Build Stronger Communities
San Mateo, CA 6/6/12 – The City of San Mateo shared today that it is making Nextdoor (www.nextdoor.com) available to all San Mateo neighborhoods. Nextdoor, the first private social network for neighborhoods, is designed to foster neighbor-to-neighbor and citywide communication. Starting now, San Mateo residents can use Nextdoor to create private websites for their neighborhoods where they can get to know their neighbors, ask questions, and exchange local advice and recommendations. Topics of discussion on Nextdoor are as varied as local events, school activities, plumber and babysitter recommendations, disaster preparedness, recent crime activity, upcoming garage sales or even lost pets.
“We believe a healthier and more engaged city creates stronger communities” said San Mateo City Manager, Susan Loftus. “Neighborhood Watch, CERT and Neighborhood Homeowners Associations along with Nextdoor are some of the many ways neighbors can connect in our City and help create a stronger and safer community that we call home."
Neighborhoods establish and self-manage their own Nextdoor website. Information shared on Nextdoor is only visible to members who live in the neighborhood and who have verified their address. City staff will be able to post useful and important information to Nextdoor sites within the city, but will not be able to access the residents’ websites, contact information, or content.
Nextdoor was specifically designed to make neighbors feel comfortable sharing information with one another to help build stronger communities. All members must verify that they live within the neighborhood. Information shared on Nextdoor is password- protected and cannot be accessed by those outside the neighborhood or found on Google or other search engines. In addition, Nextdoor never shares personal information with any third parties. Unlike an email listserv or other online group, neighbor posts are organized and archived for future reference.
“I started the Nextdoor 25th Avenue Neighborhood and have really enjoyed seeing how our community website is evolving,” said Greg Connor. “There are so many ways our neighbors can use the site for everyday problems. For example today a neighbor alerted everyone to a suspicious person casing their house. Recently we found a local handyman through a neighbor's recommendation and I'm looking forward to using Nextdoor to find other dads who want to play golf or go for a bike ride early Saturday mornings.”
Already eighteen neighborhoods in San Mateo have started Nextdoor sites. Those interested in joining their neighborhood’s free Nextdoor website can visit www.nextdoor.com and enter their address. If Nextdoor is available in their area, they 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.
Donna Divodi
Citywide Volunteer Coordinator
City of San Mateo
330 West 20th Avenue
San Mateo,CA 94403
650-522-7277
650-522-7261(fax)
[email protected]
Visit San Mateo's VolunteerSource on the web:
http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/index.aspx?nid=2309
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Address/Location
San Mateo, CA Police Department
200 Franklin Pkwy
San Mateo, CA 94403
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 650-522-7700
TEXT-A-TIP - Text TIP SANMATEOPD followed by your message, to 888777