Delete WardMar 10, 2025
Councilman Brian Kazy (Ward 16) participated in a panel discussion titled “Safe Communities: A 360-Degree Perspective” at the 2025 National League of Cities Congressional Cities Conference in Washington DC.
Kazy, Chair of NLC’s Public Safety and Crime Prevention Federal Advocacy Committee, discussed strategies for building safer communities with Tempe Councilmember Berdetta Hodge, Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobilade, and Rochester, MN Mayor Kim Norton.
Councilman Kazy discussed his attempt to build a more engaged community in Ward 16. He is not content with folks staying tucked away in their backyards. He wanted to bring back that old-school sense of community, the kind where everyone knew their neighbor. He called it creating "nosy neighbors"—not in a bad way, but in a way that got people talking, and looking out for each other. He challenged residents to step outside their comfort zones, to introduce themselves, and get to know the people living right next door - and beyond. He wanted everyone to know he was paying attention, that their council member cared. It was about turning strangers into familiar faces.
To make this happen, Kazy threw cookouts, not just for burgers and hot dogs, but as a kind of pop quiz on names and faces. He teamed up with the First District police station, CDCs, and local churches, using every avenue to get people mingling. He stressed the importance of taking pride in their neighborhood, believing that knowing your neighbors makes you feel safer. It's that simple: when you know the person next door, you're more likely to look out for them.
Across the country, other city leaders are tackling their own community challenges and building safer communities. In Tempe, Councilmember Berdetta Hodge discussed putting money into schools, early education, and preventing mass shootings, recognizing that a safe community starts with investing in its kids. In Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobilade discussed his mission to make the city friendlier, more connected—just like Kazy's "nosy neighbor" idea.
Rochester, Minnesota Mayor Kim Norton discussed building a pathway for women of color in the construction industry, opening doors, and building a more diverse workforce. From encouraging neighborly connections to investing in education and creating job opportunities, these leaders are all working to strengthen their communities in their own unique ways.