Monterey neighborhood using social media to work together

Gone are the days when everybody knows their neighbor. Work and kids keep many of us busy but Nextdoor is changing that for one Monterey neighborhood.

Nextdoor is a private social media network for neighbors. Residents in the Del Monte Grove/Laguna Grande neighborhood are using the app to create a safer community by working together.

“You could live around the corner from someone and not know that some bicycles were stolen out of their garage and with this right away we find out,” said Nextdoor member Esther Malkin.

Malkin lives in the Del Monte Grove/Laguna Grande neighborhood and said it’s all about alerting residents, the city and police about issues that arise.

Right now, neighbors said it’s the homeless at Laguna Grande Park.

“It has become a draw for the homeless population that did leave a lot of the downtown and Cannery Row area,” said Malkin.

Monterey police Officer Jake Pinkas is active on the group’s Nextdoor page. He said police are patrolling the area but he still thinks Nextdoor is a good tool to help police.

“It’s a 21st century version of a neighborhood watch. Some people aren’t always comfortable going to knock on their neighbors doors,” said Pinkas.

It’s not just about crime either. Residents can post about lost pets or broken street lights. You don’t have to be home to use the site. You can download the app on your cell phone and find out exactly what’s going on in your neighborhood while you’re at work.

“If you are out and about and there is some sort of emergency, you know, like streets are blocked off, you know that while you’re out. You can call home and find out if everybody’sOK from wherever you are,” said Malkin.

Pinkas said while it’s a good communication tool, if a crime occurs he said residents still need to call police first.