Instructions From The Neighborhood Watch

Attention: This is a formal announcement from "The Neighborhood Watch."

Attention - "All Walkers"

And I Mean All The Walkers- Men- Women-Children-The Elderly

It has come to the attention of the "Neighborhood Watch" that people young and old are breaking the rules, of the said ,"Neighborhood Watch".

There are sound reasons for these rules, and everyone will benefit from the said rules.

They are as follows:

1. Do not walk in the middle of the road. Even if you walk with a walker. The street is narrow, and you are impeding traffic, if you do. Think of yourself and if you are going to an appointment, or you are sick and taking someone to the hospital, you would like to have access to the road, after all it is a thoroughfare.

2. Please move to the side of the road, and let the traffic move safely by you.

Attention- "All Bicycle Riders"

I mean all bicycle riders, men women, children of all ages. This includes bicycles, pedal, or electric, and toys that children push with their feet, tricycles, wagons, and anything that moves or you can be pulled by another person.

1. Children under 10 years old must be supervised, when riding their bicycles, peddle or electric. Again, they must ride on the side of the road, not the middle of the road. Let me review the rules on bicycle riding, in case you forgot.

2. Let me review the rules for children riding their bicycles.

a. Always wear a helmet

b. Ride with the traffic, on the right hand side of the road.

c. Obey all trafic signals, including stop signs

d. Use hand signals.

e. Stay Alert

f. Avoid riding at night

g. Learn to cross the street, by walking the bike

Please have your children adhere to these rules, for their own safety.

Attention: - "The Geriatric crew"

You have been seen walking right down the middle of the street. Some with walkers, and some with canes. You expect people to wait for you, and you very seldom move to the side of the road. You have been witnessed four wide across the narrow street, and you position yourself smack in the middle of the road.

1. There is a sidewalk for your convenience, although it is not four person wide, it would be safer than walking in the middle of the street.

2. For you own safety, you are old enough to know better, adhere to the rules for your own safety, your neighbors are not your caregivers.

4. Attention: - "Dog Walkers"

You are welcome to walk your dog, down the sidewalk, and these are the rules for dogs.

1. Always keep them on a leash. The fact that you had your dog through obedience training, does not excuse them from the leash law. Please keep your dog on a leash at all times, animals are unpredictable.

2. Bring your doggy poop bag with you. Your neighbors do not want to clean up after your dog.

Attention: "All Resident - Trash Cans"

It has been bought to my attention as the head of the neighborhood watch, that some people are using the street, as a storage area for their trash cans.

a. You can't use the street for storage of your trash cans, you must find a place in your yard to store your trash cans. They must be bought out every Wednesday for pickup, and your recycle can is bought out every other week.

b. Do not fill your can so full, that on a windy day, your garbage is blown all over the neighborhood. No one wants to pick up your trash.

c. You have gotten instructions from the city as to where and how your trash can must be situated, use them. In case you lost them, a simple rule is don't put your trash cans too close together, and keep in mind the trash truck has to use a claw to pick up your garbage, so do not park your car on the street close to your cans on trash day.

d. Please bring you trash can in at the end of the day.

Attention- "All Parents of Small Children"

This is only common sense. If you have a toddler or a child young enough to ride a bike or a toy they push with their feet, SUPERVISE THEM, and that says it all. Don't let them ride down the middle of the street. They are "safer",on the sidewalk, and even then a "Toddler", needs supervision. Don't depend on your neighbors to be your babysitter.

Thank you for your cooperation, and I trust the infarctions will be corrected immediately if not sooner.

I will add one thing.

If you follow the rules and act with common curtesey, the neighborhood you will make better, is your own.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Watch

(I didn't know that this job, would entail so much work, when I took it. It is a volunteer position.) It should be a paid position.

All tips appreciated.