Issue date: 10/27/05 Section: News

With threat of a new zoning ordinance, the "Bee A Good Neighbor" block party was held Wednesday in Villa Maria West Park to inform residents of local services, rules and ordinances in Bryan.

Dacia St. Angelo, president of the Off-Campus Aggies, said block parties are a way to alleviate tension between neighbors, although the primary reason for the event was to inform and educate.

"The block party is a way for neighbors to feel comfortable," said St. Angelo, a senior marketing major. "(Then) they won't feel awkward when there is a noise problem and they want to ask (college neighbors) to turn the noise down."

More than 400 local residents attended the party, including college students and organizations such as the Bryan Police Department, MADD, Twin City Mission and the Brazos County Health Department. In addition, free food was given and activities and games were available for children.

The block party was done through the Adult, Graduate and Off-Campus Services office and it received assistance from Off-Campus Aggies. The party has been going on for about four years, St. Angelo said.

"We target areas that have the highest number of noise violations, such as the Mary Branch area," she said. "In the areas where we have the block parties and walk-and-talks, there has been a 50 percent drop in violations."

Being able to get out in the community and mingle with all the residents is the most important aspect of these functions, said Ronnie Jackson, neighborhood and youth services manager for Bryan.

"It is important to expose them to information from the community as well as the University," Jackson said. "It is about community and this is a great event."

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