Join residents for our annual neighborhood watch event.

Who’s up for lawn games, great eats, gorgeous weather, and awesome neighbors to boot? We are!

Save Saturday, Nov. 4, from 5 to 9 p.m. on your calendar because Eastmark’s Neighborhood Watch is hosting a community block party in conjunction with the annual statewide event Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods (G.A.I.N.).

The G.A.I.N. initiative supports Neighborhood Watch programs and brings Mesa neighborhoods together for the common goal of keeping our communities safe.

The good times will be going on at Benton Park (it’s the one with the splash pad at Anitole Way and Sebring Avenue) for a potluck-style block party.

This is a great chance to meet and mingle with neighbors, exchange contact info, and stay in the loop on what’s going on in the community.

Plan to bring a dish to share, your own drinks, and somewhere to sit like blankets or lawn chairs. We’ll have you covered on the plates and utensils.

Plus, members of the Mesa Police Department will stop by to chat with neighbors, and there will be some sweets and surprises on hand courtesy of Target.

As an official participant in the Mesa Neighborhood Watch program, Eastmark residents can actively work in conjunction with Mesa law enforcement to help deter crime. The nationwide program has proven to help lower crime rates by increased surveillance, enhanced communication with local authorities, spreading awareness, and training residents for emergencies.

Residents aren’t “on patrol,” but instead are advised to stay alert and aware of their surroundings in order to recognize when something is not right.

Save this number in your phone: 480-644-2211. It’s the Mesa Police Department’s non-emergency line, which you can call to report anything that looks suspicious. If it’s a crime that’s in progress, always call 9-1-1.

If you’d like more info on the Nov. 4 block party or Eastmark’s neighborhood watch, give a shout out to Eastmark resident Caitlin Watson.