In the past couple of weeks, folks in St. Elmo have chatted about a wandering peahen, a desire for empty Quaker Oats boxes, whether anyone has heard gunshots and a dresser and toaster oven offered first-come, first-served.
In Ridgeside, residents have discussed what to do with two stray cats, whether the city will powerwash slippery sidewalks, and the fact the new city ordinances and resolutions are posted on its website.
None of these conversations have been face-to-face.
While you can’t borrow a cup of sugar through a Facebook chat, social networking, email groups and other technologies have become primary tools for 21st-century neighborhood communication.
Local neighborhood leaders say technology probably hasn’t supplanted the proverbial chat over the back fence, but it does have advantages for advertising meetings, letting residents know about crime in their neighborhoods, finding lost pets, keeping tabs on vacant properties, and promoting social activities such as yard sales and giveaways.