Law enforcement in Pocatello talk eclipse planning

There is just under two weeks until the total solar eclipse on Aug. 21 and all the visitors the eclipse brings with it.

Pocatello is one area that is projected to see a large increase in the number of people in town. Because of that, law enforcement in the Gate City is doing their best to prepare for the event.

“It really, truly is, all hands on deck,” said Lt. Paul Manning, a detective with the Pocatello Police Department.

That statement is true across the board for law enforcement in Bannock County. Both Pocatello police and Idaho State Police will have all of their sworn personnel working on Aug. 21.

Manning said in years past, PPD has had to prepare for other major events, such as “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” back in 2010. But Manning said with events like that, they knew what and where to plan around. That’s not the case with the eclipse.

“The only problem is, we just don’t really know where the problems are going to be,” Manning said.”There is concerns about crime, there’s concerns about traffic, there’s concerns about road rage and different things like that.”

Idaho State Police is much the same, but Captain Eric Dayley said their biggest focus is going to be on traffic.

“You know district five really is the gateway to the northwest,” Dayley said. “We have two major highways, I-86 and I-15 and we feel like those will be utilized to their maximum, especially in the case of I-15.”

Dayley said on average, there’s around 30,000 cars on I-15 each day. On some of the busiest travel days of the year, that average is about 60,000 cars per day.

The maximum capacity for I-15 is 96,000 cars per day. Dayley said if the projected number of travelers is accurate, that capacity could be reached and then some.

Dayley said ISP plans to have an officer along I-15 every 15 miles.

Dayley said district five will also be running a little further north than they usually do to help out district six in Idaho Falls. ISP district five troopers will cover from the Utah border to the Bonneville County line.

Dayley said one area of travel besides I-15 they expect could be busy, and potentially problematic, is interchange 93 exit at Blackfoot.

ISP said it will use roadside message boards, and utilize the 511 call system to relay necessary messages and information to drivers.

Law enforcement said they want to be clear that the eclipse isn’t a doom-and-gloom event and that people shouldn’t come out and enjoy it. They agree it’s a great, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

But their job as law enforcement is to prepare for any and all scenarios that could come along with it. They want people to be informed of the potential problems to help people better plan and things run smoothly on the day of the eclipse.

“It’s going to be a big undertaking – at least we think,” Dayley said.

“It would be nice if this turned out to be like Y2K from years ago where you make tons and tons of preparation and then everything goes smoothly,” Manning said. “But if you don’t prepare, it could come back to haunt you.”

One thing Manning said people should remember is to not let your guard down. More people in town means more potential for theft, or people using the eclipse as a crime of opportunity.

Manning said make sure to lock your homes and cars and keep other valuable items safely locked away. Manning also said to be cautious if people knock on your door and ask for help, such as needing to use a landline phone. Manning said this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t help people – just be cautious if you do. For example, if you have a landline that is cordless and can be brought to the person at the door instead of letting them inside, do that. Manning said just exercise caution. You can still be courteous, just be smart about it because you never know who might take advantage of your hospitality.

Another thing both Dayley and Manning want to stress is to have lots of patience – with other drivers, with first responders, everyone.

Dayley also suggested if there’s alternate routes you can take besides I-86 or I-15, such as U.S. 91, do so.

“It’s really kind of a 72-hour event, with people coming in and out factored in,” Manning said. “Just remember that it’s only a few days at most and then everyone will leave the area and things will go back to normal. Just have patience for a few days.”