Being neighborly around the holidays

Published on November 06, 2024

As holiday events and colder weather approach, be sure to consider how your actions could impact the people who live around you. While some of these tips highlight courtesies or good practices, others could result in a ticket.

Polite parking

There may be extra cars parking in your neighborhood during this busy season of gathering. 

• Are you planning a large party? It’s nice to let neighbors know there may be more cars parked on your street. Encourage guests to ride together when possible and only park on one side of the street.
• Avoid blocking the sidewalk when using a driveway. 
• Don’t park in front of your neighbor’s containers on trash day. If the containers are blocked, the hauler may not collect their trash. 

Some parking behavior isn’t just annoying; it’s a violation of City Code.

• Don’t park within 5 feet of a street-side mailbox between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., except on Sundays and holidays. 
• Don’t block a neighbor’s driveway.
• Any vehicle parked on a public street must move every 48 hours.  
• Don’t park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.  

Look out for each other

• Burglars, porch pirates and car thieves are a common concern around the holidays. Neighbors can help each other from falling victim to these thieves.

• When expecting online deliveries, have a trusted neighbor pick them up from your porch right away. (Better yet, if you can, have the packages delivered to your work.)

• Watch out for thieves looking for running cars. They’re known to troll neighborhoods, apartment complexes and convenience stores, especially during mornings. Don’t leave your car running in the morning with the key inside and encourage neighbors to do the same. Kansas law prohibits vehicles form being left unintended unless using a remote start system where the doors are locked and the keys are not inside.

• If you’re headed out of town over the holidays, tell a trusted neighbor so they can keep an eye on your property. You can also sign up for our Vacation House Watch Program.

Work together on snow removal

• Snow removal is a physically challenging task, and elderly people, those with physical challenges and even someone plagued by a winter virus can struggle to clear their property to their neighbor’s liking. While shoveling sidewalks and driveways is certainly encouraged, it’s not required by City Code.

• If you have a snowblower, it’s a useful item to share. This can be a pretty big investment for young families and people on fixed incomes.

• If you’re picking up items from the store before or during a snowstorm or extreme cold, consider asking a neighbor if they need anything while you’re out.

• Don’t be the reason there are piles of snow left in your street. Move your car, portable basketball or hockey goals, trash cans and other obstacles away from the curb so the whole road can be cleared. When shoveling your own driveway or sidewalk, never dump piles of snow into the street.