Yuma police to hold annual public safety event on Saturday

The Yuma Police Department will hold its 15th annual Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods (GAIN) event this weekend and the entire community is invited.

“We had over 2,000 people in attendance last year and more are expected this year,” said Yuma police spokesperson, Sgt. Lori Franklin.

The event, which is held in partnership with local businesses, is free to attend and will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday in the Target store parking lot, 1450 E. Yuma Palms Parkway.

The Target store, along with those local businesses, will provide a limited supply of complimentary hot dogs, chips, water and sodas.

Formerly known as National Night Out, the GAIN event is meant to help neighbors get acquainted, generate participation in anti-crime efforts, strengthen neighborhood support and build community relations.

Always held in October, the family event allows area law enforcement agencies, the military, along with fire and rescue agencies, to bring some of their equipment to display to the public. It has grown so much over the years that it is possibly the largest public safety night event in the state now.

According to Franklin, there are 24 agencies participating this year, and all will talk with the public about a variety of topics such as safety programs, careers and public safety issues.

And for the first time ever, Franklin said there will be a helicopter on display.

Among the state, federal and local public safety agencies participating will be YPD, the Yuma Fire Department, the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Arizona Department of Transportation, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and Yuma Proving Ground.

Also participating will be the San Luis and Somerton police departments, the Wellton Police Department, and the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office, to name a few others.

The biggest benefit of getting members of the community and law enforcement together for the event, according to Yuma police, is that it actually helps to lower the city’s crime rate.

The agencies will bring some of their vehicles and departmental displays to show the public, including fire trucks, boats, allterrain vehicles, sand rails and robots.