VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – “Celebrate your neighborhood this summer and host or attend a block party!” says Sharon Buhr, Chair of ON THE MOVE. The 19 non-profit and governmental organizations that make up ON THE MOVE are encouraging everyone in Valley City and Barnes County to get to know your neighbors.
Citizens are encouraged to get together with their surrounding neighbors and host a block party this summer or in the early fall, either in their backyards or on the street. If a group wishes to have the street blocked off they can go to City Hall and sign a form to do so. There’s no charge. ON THE MOVE has partnered with the city of Valley City for about 6 years to encourage people to host block parties anytime they want throughout the summer and fall and get to know those living around them.
Andrea Winter, ON THE MOVE coordinator at City County Health District, states “Block parties are important for many reasons. It’s to have some fun and get to know your neighbors, meet new people and learn a little history about your neighborhood. It also helps everyone feel safer by knowing who lives in the neighborhood. We have had a block party in my neighborhood for over 15 years. Our neighbors always look forward to it and last year Kathy and Pat Edinger and our family organized a block party at the lake.”
Buhr further explains the crime issue stating, “block parties help folks in their neighborhood know each other and to recognize when someone not part of the neighborhood appears. It can also assist the police department through crime and drug prevention efforts in Valley City.”
By increasing the positive aspects, Buhr hopes the block parties could reduce violence, drugs, and crime, lessening the burden on the police department. City Administrator David Schelkoph, Police Chief Phil Hatcher and Fire Chief Gary Retterath are very supportive of neighborhoods having block parties and are willing to come out to the block parties. The neighborhood should invite them, and they will come if available. The mayor and city commissioners are also willing to attend block parties and hear what’s on the mind of neighborhoods. Again, just call City Hall (845-1700) to invite any of the city commissioners.
