Costa Mesa to utilize ‘Nextdoor’ system

Costa Mesa officials announced Thursday that they will be using a free social networking website to enhance citywide communication.

They are urging residents to use the Nextdoor.com self-managed, private websites for their neighborhoods. The sites can be used to share information about safety, events, schools, garage sales and more.

At least 15 neighborhoods have already been mapped out for Costa Mesa, and those who live in an area not designated yet can start a new group. Six people, however, are required to activate a new group.

Mapped neighborhoods include the Upper Birds, Lower Birds, Mesa del Mar, the Westside, Eastside, portions of Mesa Verde and Wimbledon Village.

City officials also said they will be posting various information on neighborhood sites. Those communications, however, are largely one way, officials said.

The city’s account can only post to the neighborhood sites but not access their content. The city account can see comments made on city postings, however.

Neighborhood residency is checked by electronically referencing a billing address for a credit card or mobile phone, or a postcard with a special code that’s mailed to a residence.

Nextdoor does not share information with third parties, and the content on the private neighborhood sites is not visible on search engines.

Nextdoor neighborhood sites have also been set up in parts of Newport Beach, including Dover Shores, the Port Streets, Newport Heights and Lido Isle. Portions of Corona del Mar and Newport Coast also have sites.