The front porch may be a rare sight these days, but we can still have a sense of community in our neighborhoods. John F. Kennedy once said, make them "a place where people can see and know each other, where children can play and adults work together and join in the pleasures and responsibility of the place where they live."

The Moorhead Police Department knows that close-knit neighborhoods are safer and would like to encourage you to be the one to make a difference in your neighborhood. Promote a sense of community in your neighborhood by starting a Neighborhood Block Club.

A Neighborhood Block Club is a group of neighbors that agree to meet twice a year, watch out for each other and the neighborhood's children, and work with the police department to prevent crime.

The Moorhead Police Department supports your efforts by remaining in contact with your group by attending your meetings at your request; by sending out the Block Club Beat newsletter six times a year to block club contacts; and by providing annual training to block clubs on topics of interest to them.

E-mail or call Nancy Taralson at (218) 299-5143 to obtain a free manual to get you started or to find out if there is a Neighborhood Block Club in your neighborhood.