GAIN Night lets neighbors get to know each other

In Tami Harris’ mind, there’s no excuse for not knowing the neighbor across the block fence.

“You just have to be friendly and get out there and meet people. It’s difficult, because everyone has an 8-foot wall surrounding them, and people tend to pull into their garages and shut the door. But that just means you have to be kind of forward, introduce yourself,” says the Scottsdale homeowner whom everyone in the neighborhood knows by the house with the flag out front.

When she moved to her McCormick Ranch-area subdivision eight years ago, Harris didn’t know a soul, but she set to work right away recruiting block captains for a Neighborhood Watch. Today, her community is one of the most tight-knit neighborhoods that Scottsdale GAIN coordinator Bruce Wall can bring to mind.

Wall says Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods, or GAIN, is Arizona’s version of National Night Out, a nationwide effort to get neighbors out in the street one night per year to meet, mingle and form bonds that go beyond a head nod or wave from opposite driveways. National Night Out is held each August; in Arizona, GAIN is delayed until October to make block parties more comfortable — and better attended.

“The whole idea is to encourage neighbors to come out and celebrate a safe community. When you get to know your neighbors, crime goes down. You build community, and crime prevention comes hand-in-hand with that,” says Wall.

Several East Valley cities will host pre-GAIN Night information sessions in September

At the free events, residents can ask questions, gather ideas for block party games or activities, and request appearances from police, firefighters or costumed crime-prevention characters. Some cities offer gift cards, free party supplies or party-planning packets to help organizers get started.

“Often we have people just starting out as a new Neighborhood Watch group, and they do a GAIN block party as a way of getting everyone on the street out for the first time to get to know each other. We’re hoping that after the party, it leads to some friendships and bonds, so that they’re meeting on a consistent basis, phoning and e-mailing each other,” says Wall.

Harris, who hosts a GAIN party in her neighborhood each fall, says the benefits of knowing her neighbors is priceless.

“I can go away on vacation, and the last thing on my mind is worrying about my house, because my neighbors are watching it. We have keys for each other’s houses in case something were to happen. We’re not afraid to take walks at 10 o’clock at night because we look out for each other,” she says.

There are other perks, too. It’s not uncommon for her neighbors to gather in driveways in the evenings, shooting the breeze, or for someone to bring over a meal when a neighbor is sick.

“I believe that if I know who my neighbor is, I’m not going to have a drop house or a drug house next door. If I can get other neighbors to feel this way too — well, that’s how you get your communication tree going. You can’t leave it to someone else. Why can’t you be the one who gets the neighbors talking to each other?” says Harris.

Getting involved in your neighborhood

Some East Valley cities encourage neighborhoods to host GAIN block parties in October, and some will host kickoff parties even earlier to help citizens plan successful events. See what’s planned in your neck of the woods:

Apache Junction: City agencies will combine to form a caravan that visits participating block parties on GAIN Night, which is Oct. 18. In  past years, the mayor, police chief, park rangers, McGruff the Crime Dog, and Mother Goose have brought games and safety information to share with children. (480) 982-8260 or www.ajcity.net.

Chandler: The city’s GAIN kickoff party is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Road. Citizens can pick up a party kit and schedule a visit from McGruff the Crime Dog, Handy the Graffiti Buster, the Crime Prevention Hot Rod, or the police department. Chandler will celebrate GAIN Night on Oct. 4. (480) 782-4967 or www.chandleraz.gov.

Gilbert: The Gilbert Police Department Crime Prevention Unit will offer free party planning packs for community leaders or block watch captains who register and host a neighborhood event during the month of October. A limited number of free party supplies — paper plates, napkins, sodas, cookies and crime prevention materials — will be available at the end of September, and you can request free barricades and trash cans. GAIN Night is Oct. 18; police will travel to registered GAIN events that evening. (480) 635-7522 or www.ci.gilbert.az.us.

Mesa: City personnel will give a brief overview of GAIN Night requirements and offerings at the city’s free National Preparedness Day Event at noon Sept. 27 at Mesa Riverview. The police department offers assistance in planning your block party, including free party idea packets you can view and print online, block party visits from safety officials and barricades for rental. You can also arrange for a visit from city safety personnel. Mesa celebrates GAIN Night Oct. 18. (480) 644-2620 or www.cityofmesa.org.

Queen Creek: The town does not currently participate in GAIN, but offers free block party permits through the Parks & Recreation Department. (480) 358-3700 or www.queencreek.org.

Scottsdale: The city’s GAIN Kickoff Event is 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Boulevard. Residents can get assistance planning their neighborhood parties and request visits from city staff, the mayor or city council members. Scottsdale’s GAIN Night is Oct. 4. (480) 312-7787 or www.scottsdaleaz.gov.

Tempe: The city’s GAIN organizational meeting is 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 17 at Tempe Public Library, 3500 S. Rural Road. At the meeting, you can register your event, pick up marketing materials and enter drawings for block party prizes or appearances from safety personnel. GAIN Night is Oct. 18. (480) 858-6330 or www.tempe.gov.