About Staten Island Neighbors

Staten Island Neighbors was founded in 2008 by Rob Laursen, at a time when Facebook was still new and local community groups were not yet common. What began as a simple place for Staten Islanders to connect has grown into one of the borough’s most recognized and trusted online community platforms, serving over 80,000 members and generating thousands of local interactions every month.

Built with Intention Since Day One

Staten Island Neighbors was never treated like a casual group. From the beginning, it has been actively managed with structure, moderation, and long-term purpose.

Member requests are reviewed, spam and scams are filtered out, unrelated content is removed, and the focus remains on keeping the community local, helpful, and respectful. That consistency is what built trust.

Today, Staten Island Neighbors helps facilitate recommendations, discussions, business referrals, neighborhood updates, local events, and meaningful community connections across Staten Island.

Security and Structure by Design

Rob Laursen’s background in cybersecurity directly shapes how the community operates. Large online groups are frequent targets for fake profiles, scams, spam networks, and suspicious activity, so safety and integrity have always been a priority.

Staten Island Neighbors is intentionally moderated to stay organized, useful, and trustworthy. Members often describe it as more secure and professionally managed than many other local online communities — and that is by design.

Using Community Size for Good

As the community grew, it became clear that its size and engagement could be used for more than conversation. It could create real value for Staten Islanders.

Through community partnerships, Staten Island Neighbors has helped connect residents with local businesses, savings opportunities, giveaways, and real-world events that bring people together.

One example is Rob’s work with Island Auto Group, where the reach and trust of the Staten Island Neighbors community helped create community-level advantages for residents. The goal was not simply promotion — it was using community influence responsibly to help Staten Islanders receive better value and a more trusted local experience.

Community Givebacks and Local Impact

Staten Island Neighbors has also introduced community appreciation initiatives designed to give back directly to residents.

These include member appreciation raffles, sponsored giveaways, local business-supported promotions, and in-person events that create positive moments for Staten Island families.

One of the most recognized traditions is the annual Staten Island Neighbors community appreciation event at Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices, where residents receive a free ice as a thank-you to the community.

These initiatives are made possible by the size, trust, and participation of the Staten Island Neighbors community, along with local businesses that want to support residents in a meaningful and organized way.

More Than a Facebook Group

Staten Island Neighbors has grown beyond social media through SINeighbors.com, expanding into a full local ecosystem built specifically for Staten Island residents.

The platform helps residents discover trusted local businesses, explore community events, find job opportunities, access local deals, read Staten Island stories, and participate in community initiatives.

What began as a digital gathering place has evolved into a structured community platform connecting tens of thousands of residents with local businesses every month.

A Recognized Staten Island Brand

Staten Island Neighbors has operated under continuous leadership and consistent public use since 2008.

Over nearly two decades, the name has built public recognition through active moderation, sustained community growth, business partnerships, local events, and daily engagement with Staten Islanders.

The name reflects more than a geographic location. It represents a specific, founder-led community platform widely recognized across Staten Island for organization, integrity, and responsible leadership.

A Message from the Founder

Rob Laursen

I started Staten Island Neighbors in 2008 because I believed Staten Island deserved a better online community — one that felt safe, organized, and genuinely helpful.

Over time, it became a daily resource for tens of thousands of residents looking for trusted recommendations, local updates, savings opportunities, and real community connection.

As a cybersecurity professional, I have always believed online communities need structure to maintain trust. Without standards, groups lose value. That is why Staten Island Neighbors has always been carefully moderated, with a focus on safety, quality, and accountability.

My commitment goes beyond moderation. I will continue working to help residents save money through meaningful local partnerships, support local businesses with real exposure, and create community-driven initiatives that bring value back to Staten Island.

Everything connected to this platform comes back to one principle: community power should be used responsibly.

Staten Island Neighbors is not just a name. It represents years of consistency, earned trust, and intentional growth. This platform exists to strengthen the entire borough by bringing real value to both residents and local businesses.

I will continue working hard to grow this community responsibly for the long term — because when built the right way, it becomes something bigger than a group. It becomes a trusted local institution.

— Rob Laursen
Founder, Staten Island Neighbors