What is a community? The Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary has about seven different definitions. I have chosen three: a unified body of individuals; people with common interests living in a particular area;or a group of people with a common policy.

The word community is derived from the Latin communitas (meaning the same), which is in turn derived from communis, which means "common, public, shared by all or many." Communis comes from a combination of the Latin prefix con- (which means together) and the word munis (which has to do with performing services).

I strongly believe that in order to be named a community, there must be a common unity of the people in terms of the purpose and goals for their neighborhood. Having started writing for the Highbridge Horizon in February, I am new to the challenges facing Highbridge. But I think Highbridge has traces of a community within it. For instance, many of the older men and women in community are very involved in Highbridge, fighting to keep it steady and safe.

Recently, we had a community event for the Highbridge Horizon. There was a sprinkling of youth at the event, but it was the older majority that showed most passion for the paper's purpose; the thirty- and -over club. It is the older generation that I see walk the streets as if they gave birth to them, telling the children to look before they cross the streets, and lecturing the teens to get home when it's late.

What I see lacking is the strength of the youth in Highbridge. I don't see the teenagers or college students taking the lead in envisioning things such as a better afterschool program, or a better Horizon.

In the Westchester Avenue area, where I live, we have a informal group of men and women who have lived in the neighborhood for many years. At various times they unite to address different issues. For instance, some time ago I received a letter in the mail warning all the neighbors of teens who had been trying to break into our cars. Because of this letter the neighborhood was watched more intensely, which prevented further break-ins. This is just one example of what can be done when people unite and become like-minded in their goals.

What kind of community do you live in? Is it a community at all? You, as an individual, have a lot to say about the answer to that question.