By Danny Sinopoli In a gathering that was more in keeping with large American cities, frustrated residents of Southampton's Sunnyside Park area clustered in a community centre recreation room last night to voice their concerns over such US-style blights as safety, hooliganism and the erosion of community values.

"We don't know who our neighbours are anymore,'' said one man who attended the meeting. "We don't even know how to talk to our neighbours.'' Added another: "I am appalled by the total disrespect that neighbours around here have shown each other.'' Many of the residents in attendence had an anecdote to tell about the way Sunnyside -- and especially its young -- have changed in recent years. Said one woman: "I don't mind when the kids in the park listen to music, but when they put their speakers on your property that's too much. One night I couldn't even hear the news, so I went outside and asked them to please turn it down.

They just laughed, so I called the Police.'' Other complaints ranged from children getting in the way of cars by playing cricket in the streets to youths that not only didn't say `Good morning' but tossed out a `F*** you' instead.'' "Look around here,'' said a woman who tried to get at the root of the delinquency problem. "Some of the young mothers whose children are causing the problems aren't even here. Tomorrow they'll just ask stupid questions like `What went on at the meeting?'' While the meeting at the Southampton Rangers Sports Club was called to address such specific issues as vehicle noise, speeding and troublesome area children, it soon developed into a collective lament for many of the values that defined the "old'' Bermuda.

"We need that family life,'' one man told the assembly. "That's what all this boils down to. We've lost that family life.'' In an effort to resurrect the community's spirit and combat its collective problems, residents suggested a number of activities that would enable them to get together on an intermittent basis and at least learn each other's names.

"The more interaction you have with each other,'' said one man, "the more you get to know each other.'' Among the many "positive'' suggestions that residents bandied about last night were a community day at the beach, a sports day for children and an invitation to worship in each other's churches.

Tentative plans were also unveiled by the non-partisan Rangers Club for a major restoration of the park. Among the proposed additions are a basketball court, an elevated playground, a roller skating rink and a "grand entrance'' with security checkpoint.

The plans are before the Planning Department, a club member said.

"This is a beginning,'' meeting chairman Mr. Shinah Simons concluded. "We have to start hashing out what the problems are and how we're going to solve them.'' In the end, however, Mr. Simons' suggestion of decorating the neighbourhood with lights this Christmas met with a familiar chorus of cynicism. "For two years we have tried to light up,'' said one woman, "and the lights were stolen.''