Home > Areas of Focus > MONs

Montclair Organized Neighborhoods (MONs)

Organized neighborhoods are the foundation for addressing all local safety and improvement issues related to MSIC's Areas of Focus. Neighborhoods may become organized because they are concerned about preparing for an earthquake or other natural disaster, or they may organize to address crime or traffic issues on their street. Some organize to improve the appearance of the neighborhood, and some just to socialize and to know who their neighbors are. Organized neighborhoods can help bring about a stronger sense of community and belonging--things that are often missing with our modern lifestyles.

MSIC works actively with community leaders and organizations such as the Piedmont Pines Neighborhood Association and Shepherd Canyon Homeowners Association to motivate, support and recognize these organized neighborhoods. Through community and leader meetings, special interest networking, local training and recognition events, MSIC is working to help develop and sustain 100% organized neighborhoods in our area.

An organized neighborhood is usually comprised of 30-50 homes, although some have as few as a dozen or more than 100. The boundaries may be agreed-upon sections of streets or blocks or defined by features like parks or main thoroughfares. An organized neighborhood usually has a small number of volunteer leaders or Block Captains that organize and communicate with the neighbors and help plan functions such as social events, emergency exercises, training, etc.

There are two typical City-sponsored programs for training and certification that an organized neighborhood can receive; Neighborhood Watch for crime prevention, and CORE (Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies) for emergency preparedness. Because neighborhood groups may elect to participate in one or both of these programs, depending on their priorities, the MSIC has coined the term Montclair Organized Neighborhood (MON) for any neighborhood in the Montclair area that is Neighborhood Watch and/or CORE trained, or even organized for some other purpose. The MSIC highly recommends that MONs participate in both Neighborhood Watch and CORE programs, and most established MONs have.

If you are interested in organizing your neighborhood, you may refer to the Montclair Organized Neighborhood Leader's Guide, created by the MSIC, for guidance. This document describes five basic recommended steps to organize a new neighborhood group, gives tips for maintaining a group, outlines the CORE training, and provides information on the specific duties of a MON Leader. It is a work in progress document, and anyone having suggestions for its improvement please do let us know.

At this time there are over 90 identified Montclair Organized Neighborhoods that are established or in the process of being created. Our goal is to have all of our residents be a part of a formal MON. All it takes is a neighbor or two to help get the ball rolling, then involve as many other neighbors as possible, have a meeting to discuss the process, and move forward from there. At the very least, creating a MON is a great way for all neighbors to get to know each other and to work together to make a better neighborhood and community.

A current map of planned and established MON's is available for MON Leaders. Please contact us for the link to this map.

Please visit any of these areas of focus links to the left that are of interest or concern to you. The best way to begin to address these issues is to establish and work with your MON on local neighborhood matters, and to work with the MSIC and other MONs and related groups on topics that affect the larger community. The MSIC is here to help you address important issues within these and any other areas of focus--please don't hesitate to contact us for more information on how we can be of assistance.

The MSIC has additional documents and Web sites that contain useful guides and tips around organized neighborhoods and these areas of focus. If you have any requests for additional information, please let us know.

For more information on how you can begin to organize your neighborhood, please contact the MSIC MONs Team chair. MSIC representatives can come to your neighborhood meeting to present their ideas and tips for success. We are here to help you in any way possible, so that you can be better able to be an effective Montclair Organized Neighborhood. It's all about neighbors helping neighbors!