What is G.A.I.N.? G.A.I.N. stands for Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods. It is Arizona’s National Night Out. National Night Out is held in August but our desert heat is the reason that we have G.A.I.N. in October. G.A.I.N. is an annual statewide crime prevention celebration and a day for the police department to show our appreciation for those in the community that support our efforts in the day to day fight against crime. The celebrations or block parties, take place in various neighborhoods and multi-housing communities throughout the city. This event is the one time each year that a significant amount of police department resources make scheduled visits to the different neighborhood celebrations.

Which resources can you request? You can schedule visits on the hour from Darren the DARE Lion, Handy the Graffiti Buster, McGruff the Crime Fighting Dog, the Mobile Command Van, the Peacekeeper and other department vehicles, and the very popular Police K9 Officers and their K9’s!

Ready to get started? First, are you involved in an active Block Watch? If not or if you aren’t sure contact Officer G. Ruhland, Block Watch Coordinator. If you are already involved in an active Block Watch, talk to your neighbors to begin organizing your G.A.I.N. celebration. It’s not too early to begin planning your G.A.I.N. celebration. Should you have music? food? games? Sure, just use your imagination. This is an excellent time to strengthen community partnerships and prevent crime!

Who do you call? The first visit from the Police Department is at 2:00pm and the last is at 7:00pm. To schedule visits for your G.A.I.N celebration contact Officer Ruhland at (480) 782-4530 or at his e-mail address, gerard.ruhland@chandleraz.gov. If you want to have a block party and block off your street then call (480) 782-3340 to request a permit. For additional information about Crime Prevention Programs at the Police Department call the Crime Prevention Unit at (480) 782-4521.