| A city in Arizona is reintroducing a mediation program | | | | lower neighbor created the fence was because she |
| to help people resolve neighbor to neighbor disputes. In | | | | was concerned that other people could look down into |
| particular, the city of Scottsdale, Arizona is primarily | | | | her yard when her teenage daughter and her friends |
| introducing this program to assist neighbors resolve | | | | were using the pool. The problem was that nobody |
| their barking dog problems. | | | | told each other what their needs were and their real |
| In most cities, the police or animal control are called to | | | | concerns. This case was resolved short of trial |
| handle a problem that neighbors should be able to | | | | because the parties were able to mediate the case |
| resolve among themselves. The problem is, however, | | | | and resolve their differences. |
| that neighbors just don't know how to talk to their | | | | The following techniques can be used to assist in |
| neighbors. Many times, the neighbor with the dog | | | | neighborhood disputes: |
| doesn't know it's an issue. Another problem associated | | | | 1. Try to open a dialogue with your neighbor regarding |
| with the inability of neighbors to speak with each other | | | | your concerns. |
| about difficult issues is that the dispute will escalate -- | | | | 2. When expressing your concerns use "I" phrases |
| often into full-blown lawsuits. | | | | instead of "you" statements. For example, "I am |
| The reason Scottsdale is reintroducing its mediation | | | | concerned about my daughter's privacy when she's |
| program for neighborhood disputes is because | | | | using the pool." |
| mediation works. According to the city of Scottsdale, | | | | 3. Ask questions about how you and your neighbor |
| approximately 70% of mediations that took place | | | | can both try to work together to resolve the problem. |
| involved barking dogs. In fact, Joy Racine, the | | | | 4. Ask your neighbor if your neighbor has any |
| coordinator of the city's mediation program explained | | | | concerns. |
| that "when [this program] did go away, we did realize | | | | 5. Offer to help your neighbor with a common problem; |
| how much it was missed within the city." "We realized | | | | or even a problem that is unique to your neighbor. This |
| it was definitely a program that benefited the citizens in | | | | might help you to get on the good side of your |
| Scottsdale." | | | | neighbor. |
| Most cities, however, do not have mediation program | | | | 6. If your neighbor won't, or can't, speak with you, write |
| specifically designed for neighborhood disputes. | | | | a friendly note and then give it some time before you |
| Common disputes amongst neighbors include the | | | | follow up. |
| following:o barking dogso view issueso excessive | | | | 7. Give your neighbor a small gift such as some |
| noiseo encroachments or trespasses on property | | | | chocolates for a special occasion such as a holiday. |
| (such as trees, bushes, and foliage)o privacy issues | | | | Remember, good neighborhood gifts make good |
| Mediation can assist in all of these types of disputes. | | | | neighbors. |
| Mediation helps the parties to be able have a | | | | 8. Do not escalate the situation by threatening to file a |
| conversation in a safe environment. Further, mediation | | | | lawsuit. |
| assists each of the neighbors to listen to the other | | | | 9. When communicating with your neighbor, make sure |
| neighbor. You would be surprised at how difficult it is | | | | that you listen actively. This means you must focus on |
| for people to really listen to someone else during a | | | | listening to what your neighbor has to say and not on |
| dispute. | | | | figuring out how you want to respond to what she has |
| In one case I mediated, two neighbors that lived on | | | | to say. |
| different streets shared a common fence in both of | | | | 10. Try to rephrase what your neighbor says in your |
| their backyards. One neighbor was higher than the | | | | own words. |
| other and was able to look down into the other | | | | Using these techniques, there's a good chance that |
| neighbor's yard. The parties ended up in a significant | | | | you'll be able to avoid getting into a lawsuit over a |
| lawsuit costing thousands of dollars because both | | | | neighborhood dispute. However, if you feel that the |
| wanted their privacy and the lower property's neighbor | | | | problem is escalating, consider mediation to provide a |
| erected a fence that the other neighbor considered to | | | | safe environment for you and your neighbor to discuss |
| be "hideous" and blocking his view. The reason that the | | | | these issues. |