For the first time ever, the city of Phoenix has more than 1,000 neighborhood associations, Fight Backs and other neighborhood groups listed with the Neighborhood Services Department (NSD).

Heather Steinle, president of the newly formed Deer Valley Alliance, said she helped found the group because she wanted to help keep crime down in her northeast Phoenix neighborhood.

"Ultimately, our aim is to have an area that is safe, secure and pleasant for our family and friends," said Steinle.

Neighborhood associations consist mostly of residents who meet regularly to preserve or improve their neighborhoods and to foster civic engagement.

Many of the neighborhood associations use the opportunity to formalize and list their group with the city as a way to meet and interact with elected officials.

Others spearhead projects that include installing street lights, conducting neighborhood clean ups and graffiti paint outs, creating a neighborhood newsletter or participating in many of the city’s public input processes.

Neighborhood associations also are eligible for special city resources, such as grants, a free, tool-lending program and paint to clean graffiti.

For information on how to form and learn about the benefits of creating a neighborhood association, as well as to receive a free copy of the "Neighborhood Association Tool Kit," call 602-262-7344.