Getting a jump on National Night Out

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POCATELLO — The Gate City’s National Night Out isn’t until this evening, but some eager old-timers just couldn’t resist the temptation to ride in an antique convertible Monday.

More than 80 residents turned out at City Hall Monday evening as Pocatello’s Neighborhood Executive Board decided to set the stage for the annual National Night Out event.

NEB incorporates and coordinates the nine zones in Pocatello’s neighborhood watch program.

National Night Out started 25 years ago as a way for American community members to promote neighborhood safety.

The event is marked with a variety of evening-time community picnics and gatherings involving a municipality’s neighborhood groups.

Kim Ellis, Pocatello’s National Night Out organizer, said the event has been held locally for about 14 years.

Members from Pocatello’s neighborhood watch groups Monday hopped in 10 antique cars and a classic operation lifesaver train to drive through three different zones.

Pocatello police escorts accompanied NEB members as they rode through neighborhoods between Center and Oak streets, the Idaho State University area and the community surrounding the Indian Hills Elementary School on Bannock Highway.

Last year, NEB visited communities in three different neighborhood watch areas. Ellis said the riders drive through the neighborhoods, and wave at residents in anticipation of the actual event tonight.

“So the proclamation tonight was to set the stage for tomorrow,” Ellis said.

The Classic Car Club in Pocatello provided the antique cars. The Classic Car Club is made up of several neighborhood members who provide and showcase the cars for various community events.

Some of the antique rides included a classic Oldsmobile, Thunderbird, Firebird and Road Runner.

Ellis said the cars were models that were widely available from the 1940s to 1970s.

“All of these cars were made more than 30 years ago,” Ellis said.

Pocatello Mayor Roger Chase, who delivered the National Night Out Proclamation Address outside City Hall Monday, expressed some praise for his city.

“As I travel across the nation, and talk about Pocatello, I tell them about neighborhoods,” Chase said.

Ellis said picnics and gatherings this evening are by invitation. He added residents in Pocatello should know their event times, but not all the neighborhoods released schedules.

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