The Pocatello Police Department aims to get to know the community as the department hosts its first National Night Out event Tuesday after taking a break for a few years.
Members of the community can rub shoulders with first responders. That’s police officers, firefighters, SWAT teams and even the military.
Cpl. Morgan Hansen, the community outreach officer for the Pocatello Police Department, says the event is a great way for officers to build good relationships with the community.
“A lot of times we don’t always see people on their best day, so having just a neutral relaxing fun environment where the community can come and meet their local first responders and public safety people is a great opportunity,” Hansen said.
Pocatello Police dispatch is having a Jeopardy-style game, and detectives will be teaching people about fingerprinting in an interactive way. There will also be firearm safety information, impairment goggles that simulate when an individual is under the influence and a drone team. The SWAT Team will be there with their rescue vehicle known as an MRAT and attendees can climb inside.
There will be multiple first responder agencies joining the National Night Out.
The Bannock County Sheriff’s Office will attend with the Bannock County Coroner promoting the Next of Kin project through the DMV. The Pocatello Fire Department will be there with its new tiller truck along with the Army and the ROTC.
Entertainment includes the Comedy Project, which will perform from 5 - 5:45 p.m. They are a professional improv team based in Pocatello and they’ve been around since 2005, according to their website at tcpimrov.org.
A local artist, Josh Lingston, will perform from 6 - 6:45 p.m.
A lot goes into planning an event like this. Coordinating between the different agencies and bringing them to one location can be difficult. Luckily for Hansen, the location was perfect.
“The location we picked has been great to work with and that has made the process super simple,” Hansen said.
This isn’t the only event the Police Department hosts. Just this summer, the department hosted the Know Me Fair that promoted the Know Me File, a program launched by the Pocatello Police Department to understand the community. It’s a voluntary system that notifies first responders with vital information.
According to Pocatello.gov, that includes individuals with dementia, Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, mental health conditions — including children and adults with autism. It’s also available for anyone who struggles responding in high-stress situations.
“I coordinated that event back in May — Inviting community partners that provided similar resources for those people,” Hansen said.
Hansen says all the events the department holds help both officers and the community.
“Every event draws in different people, whether it's a big event or a small event,” Hansen said. “We may recognize some of the same people at these events, but we’ll always meet someone new.”
Her job as community outreach officer serves the people in unique ways. Hansen wanted to become a police officer to help people.
“I always wanted to give back to people and give the people that may not have a voice, give them that voice,” Hansen said.
The Pocatello Police’s National Night Out is Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 4 - 7 p.m. at Lookout Point at 426 W. Lewis St.