Guest opinion
Step outside and meet your neighbor
By Marty Raymon Special to the Acorn

Let me preface by saying that my street in Camarillo, with only six houses, is like one big family. Everyone is very friendly and social. I have an antique-type of park bench in my back patio that is rarely used, so I decided to paint it and move to my front walk.

Last night, my wife and I decided to try out the bench and went out to sit on it. Strangely, we felt funny about sitting there as we have not seen anyone in Camarillo doing that same thing. Benches seem to be for decoration only.

I am 72 and remember when people sat on their front steps or porches when the weather allowed it. They greeted those who strolled past and chatted. We did not have air conditioning or TVs then, and being outside was very comfortable. The result was that we met our neighbors.

People now feel more secure within their homes and private back patios and are afraid to be outside, was our first thought. Then there are TV programs and computers inside, so why go outside?

Twelve years ago when we moved to Camarillo, my wife and I had a private joke that no one lived in Camarillo but that all the homes were just like movie studio false fronts.

All this led to an idea that I felt a strong need to share: Perhaps Camarillo could make a proclamation that one day a month would be a special day when neighbors would sit and walk outside and visit with one another. It could be, weather permitting, on a Friday after dinner or midafternoon on the weekends.

I really would like to hear from other people who have opinions about this idea.

Would Camarillo be different?

Would we feel safe in this dangerous world we live in?

After our short period sitting on our front bench, breathing the night air and staring at a deserted street, we had a vision that maybe street socializing would be a lot of fun for many of us citywide.