2016 was the fifth year Maricopans gathered for a Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods (GAIN) event. Submitted photo

Maricopa Police Department is hoping to take advantage of fall weather to get residents more involved in the community and, by doing so, making Maricopa a safer place for all.

Submitted photo

MPD is participating in the Oct. 28 statewide event GAIN – Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods.

The majority of the country celebrates a similar event in August called National Night Out. However, those familiar with Arizona weather in early August know it’s not the best time to be having outdoor, community gatherings.

Arizona’s solution to beating the heat is to hold another event – GAIN – in the fall.

MPD volunteer and GAIN organizer Christine Fuller said 2017 marks Maricopa’s sixth year participating in the event designed to help neighbors become more familiar with one another.

“The idea is to get citizens to help with being the eyes and ears for the police department,” Fuller said. “People should know, if you see something say something.”

If you know your neighbors, she added, then you more or less know who is supposed to be around and who isn’t.

The program asks neighborhoods to set up block parties or HOA-sponsored events that include members of city government, law enforcement and emergency services.

They typically bring their big, shiny, fire trucks and police cars to show off to the kids at the mobile meet-and-greet.

This year, likely dignitaries include Mayor Christian Price, City Manager Gregory Rose and Police Chief Steve Stahl.

GAIN parties can go on for as long as they’d like. However, those expecting a visit should plan to receive it between 2-7 p.m. Some parties include competitions like Province’s Marshmallow-Golf Ball driving contest, while others embrace the spirit of Halloween.

There are no minimum requirements for the event, Fuller said. Parties can be as small as three or four houses, or as large as an entire subdivision.

All MPD asks is you register by Oct. 15 so your neighborhood will be added to the list of stops. If you don’t register by that time, Fuller said, it’s alright. Host the party and get to know your neighbors, and still contact MPD in case a spot opens.

Contact MPD Public Affairs Specialist Ricardo Alvarado at [email protected] to register.


This story appears in the October issue of InMaricopa.

Submitted photo