Unique technology bringing neighbors together: Nextdoor.com to be utilized in West Allis

WEST ALLIS (WITI) -- Over the past several months, the City of West Allis has been increasing its interaction with citizens through various social media sites.  The city’s recent partnership with the website www.nextdoor.com will expand this to the next level.

"Nextdoor" is free for the residents of the city and was specifically designed to improve communication between neighbors and build stronger communities.

The City of West Allis already has 26 defined and distinct neighborhoods.  West Allis officials have now turned these 26 neighborhoods into individual social media sites, with the help from Nextdoor.

To use Nextdoor, members must verify they reside in the neighborhood.  Information shared on the site is password-protected and cannot be accessed via search engines or by those outside the neighborhood. In addition, Nextdoor never shares personal information with any third parties.

West Allis envisions this new form of social media reinvigorating its neighborhoods and reinforcing the city’s commitment to a high quality of life.

“With so many young families moving in to West Allis, we are trying to connect the newer residents with the ones who have resided here for decades.  Nextdoor is the perfect tool to restore connections among residents," West Allis Mayor Dan Devine said.

Details on setting up Nextdoor in the various West Allis Neighborhoods will be available at the City’s National Night Out event on Monday, July 21.

The event will be held at the historic West Allis Farmer’s Market from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.