Some communities contract with private security companies for traffic enforcement. Some Block Talk respondents think that’s a terrible idea.
As law enforcement faces a recruitment challenge, some police agencies are limiting patrols. And people in fast cars have taken notice.
Consumer fireworks laws have made backyard 4th of July displays common. But not everyone loves the DIY shows — or even tolerates them.
Independence Day is America’s birthday, and that’s worth a star-spangled salute. But how do you keep things cool in the neighborhood?
Some readers said there may be valid reasons a neighbor neglects home maintenance and yard chores. Or maybe they’re just jerks, others said.
Talking sometimes can reveal problems and a community-based solution, but additional steps may have to be taken.
Dogs, even grown and older dogs that didn’t get obedience training as pups, can and should be taught not to bark, readers told Patch.
Sometimes, it seems as if dog owners are impervious to the sound of their pups’ barking, yipping and howling. Their neighbors? Not so much.
What do you do when your “sixth sense” tells you something’s “off” about a situation or a person in the neighborhood?
Your gut is your north star. But what if you’re wrong? When is it OK to intervene in a situation, and when is it meddlesome and nosy?
Curb mining and stooping are hot in the freecycling movement. Patch asked readers to help write the etiquette as the trend evolves.
The etiquette of a new freecycling trend around Americans’ cast-off is still being written. We want your advice and tips to craft it.
One reader said “good friend material” is a plus when it comes to neighbors, but many others don’t want them hanging out on the doorstep.
How can you know before you sign the contract or lease what kind of people you’ll be living around?
![What Makes A Good Or A Bad Neighbor? [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20250403/084145/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-2400265701___03203806521.jpg)
If the neighbor intends to spread gossip, that’s a different story. Shut that stuff down from the start by saying you’re not interested.
![Don’t Hide From Chatty Neighbors, But You Can Deter Them [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20250328/050040/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-1625898283___28165223639.jpg)
Or is there a kinder way to discourage neighbors from overloading you with too much information about things you don’t care about?
![Is It OK To Hide From The Overly Chatty Neighbor? [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/790386/20250321/033244/styles/patch_image/public/blocktalk-shutterstock-1325671274___21153035439.jpg)
A new generation of homeowners is challenging the tradition of lush, chemically treated lawns and embracing a natural approach to yard care.
![Should You Use Chemicals On Your Lawn? Readers Weigh In [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/790386/20250313/053743/styles/patch_image/public/blocktalk-lawncare-shutterstock-2482279353___13173600859.jpg)
When everyone else maintains lawns at a certain standard, including by using chemicals, is it inconsiderate to let dandelion seeds fly?
![Spring Lawn Care: Chemical Control Or Let Weeds Grow? [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20250305/014324/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-588851984___05134034581.jpg)
Homeowners don’t have legal rights to the street parking in front of their homes, but ignoring their emotional claim is rude, readers say.
Yeah, yeah, it’s a public street and fair game for parking, but is it OK to be territorial about the spots in front of your house?
![OK To Be Territorial About Parking In Front Of Your Home? [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/790386/20250220/094612/styles/patch_image/public/block-talk-on-street-parking-shutterstock-2474179563___20214418711.jpg)
It’s fine for service dogs to be in stores, but most survey respondents said pets shouldn’t. Poop and slobber were big sticking points.
![‘Poop Cleanup In Aisle 9’: Hard Pass On Dogs In Stores [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20250213/105310/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-2494729659___13222320353.jpg)
Americans increasingly treat their dogs like family members, but should they take them shopping to the grocery store and other places?
![When Did It Become OK To Take Dogs To The Grocery Store? [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20250206/045239/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-2451939007___06165136774.jpg)
Rethinking street designs, speed traps, speed bumps and traffic enforcement cameras all got votes from readers. So did common sense.
![Residential Streets Aren’t Racetracks: Slowing Speeders [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20250131/050130/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-216959035___31165951043.jpg)
Three people have died in the time a Patch reader has been trying to stop speeding in her neighborhood. What should she do?
![How Do You Make People Slow Down On Residential Streets? [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20250115/055855/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-295156286___15175727875.jpg)
Confronting litterers is a bad idea, readers say. Instead, do your bit, pick up trash and before you know it, you may inspire a movement.
![You Are Probably Trash If You Toss Litter Out The Window [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20250110/050144/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-2298357409___10165920648.jpg)
We’re better than we were. Still, some people think nothing of throwing trash from their cars or leaving it for someone else to deal with.
![Why Do Some People Think The World Is Their Trash Can? [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20250102/114841/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-1036606723___02114135729.jpg)
Noise, parking, driving and inclusion also got mentions in our survey of what readers would change about their neighbors and neighborhoods.
![Free-Range Kids A Top Neighborhood Peeve [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20241227/051953/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-2480807809___27171515628.jpg)
If you could change one thing about your neighborhood or community, what would it be?
![What Do You Wish Were Different In Your Neighborhood? [Survey]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20241219/071640/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-2151024933___19191538161.jpg)
No holiday tradition symbolizes the joy of season quite like caroling, and readers say they’d like to see it come back.
![What Community Holiday Traditions Should Be Brought Back? [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20241213/034649/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-1781598338___13154041868.jpg)
If you could bring back a once common neighborhood custom — such as caroling, cookie exchanges and drop-in open houses — what would it be?
![What’s Your Favorite Holiday Tradition? [Block Talk Survey]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20241205/030312/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-1585059667___05145934752.jpg)
Has “tipflation” — the explosion in the number of service providers expecting a tip — changed the etiquette of holiday tipping?
As the peak of parcel-shipping season nears, readers offer some tips on how to curtail package thefts, a multi-billion-dollar criminal enter
![Porch Pirates Stealing Packages? Here Are Some Tips [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20241127/043315/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-1801386625___27162716375.jpg)
Porch pirates stole $12 billion in packages from about 58 million Americans in the past year. What can you do to prevent delivery thefts?
![How Do You Stop Porch Pirates? [Block Talk Survey]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20241122/031425/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-1725082078___22151219426.jpg)
Thanksgiving is the “middle child” of holidays caught between over-the-top Halloween and Christmas decorations, several readers said.
![Is It Too Early For Christmas Lights? Readers Weigh In [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20241115/035831/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-1184534224___15155405802.jpg)
It’s tradition in many neighborhoods to wait until Thanksgiving to turn on holiday lights, but the Christmas season is short this year.
![Is It Too Soon To Put Up Holiday Lights? [Block Talk Survey]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20241108/021841/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-1029370951___08141727292.jpg)
The gig economy flourished during the pandemic, changing the tipping culture in America; let’s walk that back, readers overwhelmingly say.
![Tipping Culture Is Over The Top, Readers Say In Survey [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20241101/045159/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-2531924249___01165019807.jpg)
A seismic shift in how Americans make a living changed the culture of tipping, and now workers at every turn seem to expect a fat gratuity.
![Has The Tipping Culture Hit A Tipping Point? [Block Talk Survey]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20241025/022907/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-2328873613___25142650128.jpg)
Patch readers responding to our Halloween candy throwdown survey don’t want this candy. Do you agree?
![This Classic Got No Respect In Halloween Candy Throwdown [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20241018/044658/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-1511409761___18164614453.jpg)
What candy is best on Halloween? What “treats” — or, more likely, “tricks” — make people the scariest in their neighborhoods?
![Halloween Trick-Or-Treat Candy Throwdown Poll [Block Talk Survey]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/790386/20241009/013003/styles/patch_image/public/102022-ped-halloween-candy-02___09132630575.jpg)
Often, a polite talk will resolve issues with intrusive outdoor lighting; it may be time to ask local officials to address light pollution.
![Blinded By The Light: What To Do About Light Pollution [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20241004/042952/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-1742824472___04162727473.jpg)