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GARY, IND. — Today, Mayor Eddie Melton and Matt Schuffert, President of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana announced a $3 million donation from Hard Rock towards the purchase and upgrade of 83 new police vehicles for the City of Gary Police Department’s squad car fleet. This investment marks a major step toward strengthening public safety, and ensures officers are equipped with modern resources that will improve response times and help them stay connected in the field.
"Keeping our community safe will always be our top priority,” said Mayor Eddie Melton. “By updating our patrol vehicles, we are making sure our officers have the tools to serve our residents with the professionalism and care they deserve.”
As part of the multi-year plan to upgrade the Gary Police Department’s fleet, the City of Gary and Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana have committed to an agreement that will span for over five years. In Year One (2025), Hard Rock will contribute $1 million, with the City providing a $500,000 match, totaling $1.5 million for the procurement of 23 new police vehicles. For the next 4 years (2026–2029), Hard Rock will commit $500,000 annually, with the city matching that amount each year. This $1 million annual investment will support the purchase of 15 police vehicles each year.
According to Matt Schuffert, President of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, “Hard Rock has always been committed to supporting the City of Gary and the surrounding communities. This major investment will ensure that the Gary Police Department has all the necessary resources to meet its needs as the city prepares to become the new home of the Lake County Convention Center.”
Modern police vehicles will serve as mobile offices for officers in the field, to help support a wide range of duties. The new vehicles consist of a variety of makes and models, each installed with department-specific equipment to improve patrol efficiency and reduce response times in the field. Features included are license plate readers, rear transport cages, in-car video systems that monitor both the front of the vehicle and the rear passenger area, push-button voice-activated public address commands, front and rear traffic radar, and mobile data terminals that allow officers to complete reports directly from the field.
“The Gary Police Department is the busiest police agency in Northwest Indiana, averaging 200 calls for service per day,” said Derrick Cannon, City of Gary Chief of Police. In 2024, the department responded to approximately 80,000 calls for service. This significant call volume necessitates the need for ongoing upgrades to our fleet, so we can meet demands to better serve our community. Our goal is to provide the highest level of protection for the City of Gary. We encourage residents to reach out without hesitation because your involvement helps us to do our job effectively. The continued support from our community is something we deeply value. Our officers truly appreciate the people they serve, and we’re proud to protect a city that cares.”
The purchase of these vehicles was made through the State of Indiana’s Qualified Purchasing Agreement, which allows city government agencies to buy vehicles at a predetermined negotiated price and ensures the efficient use of taxpayer dollars.
Media Contact:
City of Gary
Erika Blackwell, Chief Communications Officer
Eblackwell@gary.gov | (219) 806-6489
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana
Pat Kremer, Big Splash Public Relations
pkremer@bigsplashpr.com | (312) 523-9357
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