FAQ - Neighborhoods

Which neighborhood association do I live in?

The office of Neighborhood Services offers a handy map on their website for determining which neighborhood you live in. If you can't figure out the exact location, feel free to contact Neighborhood Services staff Annie Battée, Rachel Dixon, or Jerry Sorte at 503-588-6261.

If you'd like to know which schools are in your neighborhood, check out the Salem-Keizer School District's map .

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Who can answer my questions about traffic?

The Transportation Services Division of Public Works includes staff who are experts on every sort of traffic and transit situation. Contact Mark Becktel, Transportation Services Manager, at 503-588-6211 or check out their website for more information.

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Where can I find out about construction in my neighborhood?

Neighborhood construction generally is planned several months in advance of the actual work being carried out. For current road closures around town, click for a list from the Public Works Department.

The Parks and Recreation division of the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department also maintains street trees and median strips throughout Salem. Following a severe storm, you may see crews working at parks or with other City trees, clearing away debris and correcting hazardous safety conditions. If you have questions about the pruning projects, contact Jan Staszewski or Tom Bradley.

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What are the crime statistics for my neighborhood?

The Police Department provides crime statistics by neighborhood to citizens as well as other City staff.  Visit their website  to get recent and historical data on crime statistics from the Police Department. If you have questions about definitions or analysis of the statistics, contact Cara Lane in the Police Department at 503-588-6036.

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How can I get involved in my community?

Neighborhood associations meet at least once each month. There are 19 recognized neighborhood organizations in Salem (and more in Keizer), and they all meet on different schedules to discuss issues concerning their own neighborhoods. For a master list of meeting times, locations, and contact people, click here.

There are many other ways to impact our home town, particularly by volunteering. Check out the City's volunteer website for all sorts of possibilities.

You could also serve on a board or commission that advises City Council, the Housing Authority, or another government entity. Take a look at the variety of boards and commissions and find one that fits your interests.

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What sort of volunteer opportunities exist with the City?

Local government greatly appreciates citizens who take the time to actively participate in their community. There are literally hundreds of ways you can make a difference in Salem by investing your time and talents; this information is just the tip of the iceberg. Check out the list of volunteer opportunities for the entire City.

The Police Department, Library, and the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department are great places to offer your services, just to name a few. You could serve on a commission appointed by the City Council, start a Neighborhood Watch on your block, attend the Citizens Police Academy, or mail newsletters for Rideshare. If you know the type of projects you'd like to help with, contact City staff in the corresponding department directly.

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Who can answer my questions about parks?

If you want to volunteer for a Park Patrol or Park Partner, or report graffiti or other vandalism, contact the Parks Maintenance Management office at 503-588-6336. They also have a wealth of information about all of the parks, trails, wetlands, and green spaces in Salem.

If you want to reservea park for a special event, contact the Administration Division of the Community Services Department at 503-588-6261.  Click here for a list of community and other special events scheduled for this year.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board advises City Council on issues that concern parks. Contact them through their staff contact, Randy Dixon, Manager of the Parks and Recreation Division, at 503-588-6261.

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What is National Night Out?

National Night Out is a yearly program that coordinates local events all across the country. It's designed to:

In 2007, over 2,500 Salem residents participated in block parties, concerts, picnics, and other events. In 2008, National Night Out  is scheduled for August 5.  If you want to get a Street Closure Permit for your event, contact Bruce Bolton in the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department, 503-588-6261.

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Who can answer my questions about safety issues?

The Police Department is always a good source of information on safety. Contact the Crime Prevention Officer at 503-588-6259, x7047. The Police Department also hosts the Citizen Police Academy.

The Fire Department hosts the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), a volunteer-based group preparing for local emergencies.

Also contact the Compliance Services Division  of Community Development for information on neighborhood garage sales, litter, weed control, and other guidelines. Their phone number is 503-588-6471. Contact Parking Services for informaiton on neighborhood traffic and parking issues.

Many neighborhood associations have an executive board member who specializes in mediating safety issues for his or her neighborhood. Check out the list of neighborhood contacts to find out if your neighborhood has such a "specialist".

Check out national agencies from this website to find tips, resources, ideas, and local programs.

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When does my neighborhood association meet?

To find out your NA's meeting location and time, follow this link.  You can also find out the agenda for your neighborhood's meeting next week, or sign up to have a calendar mailed to you weekly.

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Who can answer my questions about land use?

Land use is a varied topic. The Community Development Department has a Planning Division and a Building and Safety Division to oversee land use. At these websites, you can check out zoning maps, find out what Salem Futures is up to, and get the latest agenda for the Planning Commission. You can also search the land use database for specific projects.

There's also the new Urban Development Department that may be able to provide information on land use issues in the downtown core, the North Gateway area, and other locations around Salem.

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What is Neighborhood Watch?

Neighborhood Watch is based on the active participation of neighbors and a willingness to keep an eye open for suspicious activity in and around your own neighborhood. The program also brings together citizens, local officials, and law enforcement to protect our community. Contact your neighborhood association for local information. For national information on Neighborhood Watch, click here.

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Where does my neighborhood association meet?

To find out your NA's meeting location and time, click here. To find out the agenda for your neighborhood's meeting next week, click here.

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How can I get on the agenda for my neighborhood association?

Neighborhood associations are independent groups. The members themselves decide which issues they will focus their energies on, how they will tackle topics that arise, and how they will present testimony before City Council. The chairperson sets the agenda for each of the NA's meetings.

If you have a topic on which you'd like neighbors to give input, presenting your information at a neighborhood association meeting is a good forum. Contact the chairperson of the applicable NA to talk about which of their upcoming meetings would suit you both, how much time you'd like to request, and where the group meets.

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Who can help my neighbors solve a dispute?

Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) is a local mediation service, available without charge to anyone with a dispute to resolve. A neutral third party helps the disputing parties to clearly define the issues and build agreements that satisfy all parties. Mediators facilitate a process that enables the parties to resolve misunderstandings and communicate with one another productively.

N2N helps mediate problems on issues such as parking, harassment, vandalism, landlord/tenant issues, business relationships, school relationships, noise issues, and more. They also provide specialized mediation for youth and family issues.

Contact Neighbor to Neighbor at 503-585-0651 or 1-888-607-7070 (toll free).

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Which ward do I live in?

Salem is divided into eight wards, each represented by an elected City Councilor. The Councilors and Mayor work with the City Manager to manage the city government.

Check this map of Salem (pdf document) to see which ward you live in. You can also find on the City Council website comments from your Councilor, contact information for him,  Council goals for the year, individual ward maps, and links to other essential information.

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What is the NRE (Neighborhood Response Effort)?

The Neighborhood Response Effort (NRE) is a process that supports neighborhood renewal through partnerships between neighbors, landlords, the faith community, schools, businesses, and local government.  The NRE provides an opportunity for people to identify issues, work together, and leverage additional resources when needed.

The Highland and SESNA neighborhoods currently are involved in an NRE process. For more information, contact Jessica Loewen Preis in the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department at 503-588-6261.

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