Neighbors around Elm and Oak streets describe themselves as a tight community where everyone knows everyone else and they help each other when they can.

The limits of their friendship were tested Wednesday when four families were sent out of their homes and into the street while a standoff dragged into the night.

It wasn’t just adults. At least a half dozen children, some not yet school age, were forced to endure a long afternoon outside.

For Rebecca Gower, that meant dealing with three toddlers without so much as a change of diapers.

“Some of our neighbors brought some out to us,” Gower said. “And they brought us water.”

“Thank God for the community,” said William Hodges, Gower’s boyfriend. “Otherwise, we’d all be out here with nothing.”

The neighbors took care of each other the best they could, considering most were unable to go into their homes to retrieve what they needed.

There was also some help from strangers.

At about 3 p.m., a couple who doesn’t live in the area nonetheless chipped in. They stopped for food, including bread, sandwich meats and treats for the children.

“My wife came by earlier and saw that some of these people hadn’t eaten all day,” said Michael Bays. “We decided we needed to do something. We felt bad for them and we did what we hope someone else would do for us.”

“They have something to eat, at least,” said his wife, Wendy. “That’s what matters the most.”

The displaced residents were impressed and grateful. They set up the stash of food and water in the back of a car and made sure everyone got what they needed.

“That’s awesome,” said Clarence Vandeymark, who was booted from his apartment with his wife and daughter early in the day. “That’s really nice of them.”

Vandeymark had started his day thinking he would have a good time on Wednesday instead of a grueling one — Wednesday was his 36th birthday.

“We were having people over. We were going to barbecue and play horseshoes,” he said. “I had to call and tell everyone not to come.”

Vandeymark remained a painfully short distance from his apartment as the standoff grinded into night. His home was only 100 feet or so away but it was on the other side of the police cordon.

Still, he remained upbeat, trying to amuse the children and breaking up fights when things turned testy at about 9 p.m.

Some residents became frustrated and began to argue. A few fights broke out. Residents of other neighborhoods wandered over and fought with those who had stood in the hot sun all day.

Police came to the scene but by then, the neighbors had it sorted out. Troublemakers had been sent went away and then peace returned to the area — except for the standoff which continued a block away.

By 10 p.m., the Red Cross was trying to find a place for the temporarily homeless tenants to go. Vandeymark and some others, tired of waiting, decided to go it alone and pay for their own hotel rooms.

“We’re trying to make light of it,” said Gower. “But it’s really been a long time out here.”