Centier Bank, a community partner with the Gary Police Department
Spotlight on community services at National Night Out in Gary
Contributed By: The 411 News
They help youth and adults who come into contact with the police department
Stretched along the concourse at the Gary RailCats Stadium and in between the drones and the Gary Fire Department’s Safe House, the community partners of the Gary Police Department had set up information tables to help in the observance of National Night Out.
“These are the things we want to showcase on National Night Out – the city services and community services people,” said Chief of Police Derrick Cannon.
Cannon was referring to the partners who help deal with some of the conditions – like the finances, mental health and overall wellness – of youth and adults who come into contact with the police department. “These partners are really like an ecosystem,” Cannon said.
Partners on the concourse that night included Raindrops Rising Foundation, P.O.P. (Project Outreach and Prevention) on Youth Violence, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana, Gary Health Department, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
Other partners were the Gary Community School Corporation, Centier Bank, Crisis Center, National Youth Advocate Program, Project Rebuild, Charter School of the Dunes, Junior Achievement, 21st Century Academy, and Lake Ridge New Tech Schools.
The first Night Out happened about 40 years ago, Cannon said. It started in a small town where the police department brought their townspeople in and just wanted them to take a look at what police officers do.
Gary has been participating almost 20 years in the event that is held around the country on the first Tuesday in August.
National Night Out helps answer questions about what police do and how taxpayer dollars are spent.
Capt. Jack Hamady, l-r, Trenton Penn, and Commander Justin Clark
Capt. Jack Hamady answered visitors question about the department’s 3 drones on display.
Brinc drones are used for surveillance inside structures. Its propellers are surrounded by protective cages, allowing it to bounce off walls. “Our SWAT teams deployed it in a house where we knew there was a fugitive. The drone’s camera found the guy hiding in the attic,” Capt. Hamady explained.
Matrice drones are used for mapping and reconstruction of accident scenes.
The largest drone held a spot light and a microphone for announcements.
“National Night out is one of our favorite events of the year. This is for the whole community,” said Sam Roberts, GPD Public Information Officer. “We even had job opportunities from the Indiana Dept. of Corrections, the DEA, and the Gary Police Dept. is hiring.”
P.O.P. (Project Outreach and Prevention) on Youth Violence demonstrated Stop the Bleed technique for gunshot wounds
Project Rebuild addresses the growing problem of chronic truancy in Lake County, IN
National Youth Advocate Program promotes foster parenting and adoptions
John Will Anderson Boys & Girls Club, afterschool programs for K-12
Raindrops Rising Foundation, an advocate for survivors of sexual violence and sex trafficking
Story Posted:08/06/2026
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