According to a recent study, 93 percent of Americans say it is important to look out for each other, yet 50 percent of Americans do not know a single neighbor by name. That is why Nextdoor, a private social network for neighborhoods, was created. Nextdoor's mission is to bring back a sense of community to neighborhoods everywhere by offering free neighborhood websites specifically designed to foster conversations among neighbors and build stronger, safer communities.

Some Bayfield residents are already using Nextdoor, and now the Bayfield Marshal's Office has adopted the platform to connect with residents to improve safety and strengthen virtual neighborhood watch efforts.

On Nextdoor, neighbors create private websites to get to know one another, ask questions, and exchange local advice and recommendations. The Bayfield Marshal's Office will now be able to share important safety information and emergency notifications to residents on a neighborhood level through Nextdoor.

Nextdoor was specifically designed to make neighbors feel comfortable sharing information with one another. All members must verify that they live within the Town of Bayfield. Information shared on Nextdoor is password-protected and cannot be accessed by those outside of the neighborhood/town, including the Bayfield Marshal's Office, or found on Google or other search engines. Nextdoor never shares personal information with any third parties. Because Bayfield is a small town, the entire town is considered one neighborhood.

"Nextdoor allows us to keep in touch with residents about safety issues, crime alerts or events with the hopes of creating a virtual neighborhood watch," Marshal Joe McIntyre wrote in an email.

"The other great thing about this is the Bayfield Marshal's Office does not see anything that neighbors post or conversations amongst neighbors unless they include the marshal's office or post something directly to us, so there is no concern of the Marshal's office spying on everyone."

The Bayfield Marshal's Office invites resident to build a stronger, safer town today at www.nextdoor.com