‘We have their backs’

Miguel Franqui turned a few heads with his 1988 Daihatsu micro van during the National Night Out parade in Garfield Ridge.

SW Side supports police in National Night Out

On a cloudy and cool Tuesday evening, Southwest Side residents took a stance against crime by participating in the annual National Night Out.

It was one of many similar events in Chicago, the suburbs and the nation on Aug. 6.

According to the National Night Out website, the first night out was held 40 years ago, in August 1984.

That debut involved 2.5 million people across 400 communities in 23 states. It has grown steadily since then.

About 40 people gathered in the parking lot of that Garfield Ridge legend, Weber’s Bakery, 7055 W. Archer Ave.

Augustina and Rich Collins showed their support with a police themed flag.

Around 6 p.m., they started a parade that went up and down neighborhood streets with 11 cars, some considered classic, following a fire truck from Fire It Up Now.

Their journey started north on Nordica Avenue from the parking lot and weaved its way up and down residential streets.

Folks unable to be in the parade were asked to turn their porch lights on to show their support. The Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch put the event together.

Before boarding the fire truck, watch member Michele Doherty said it’s a way to show opposition to crime and support of the police.

“We want to let them know we have their backs. Always. Where would we be without them?” Doherty, 60, asked.

Among the cars was a red 1969 Chevy Impala convertible owned by Leo Dilger Jr.

Dilger, who has lived in Garfield Ridge all but two of his 66 years, said, “All the parades, anything to do with the neighborhood, I come out for.”

“Tonight is important. Every year they’ve done this, I’ve been out,” Dilger said.

Another vehicle was the 1988 Daihatsu microvan that Miguel Franqui, 48, of West Lawn, bought for $5,500 from a guy in California.

“I saw the announcement in the Garfield Ridge Facebook (page) and I came to check it out,” Franqui said. “Even though it’s raining, I thought, ‘ah, let’s check it out’.”

Daughter Nayeli, 17, was his passenger.

Thankfully, light sprinkles lasted perhaps 10 minutes.

“This is the first time I brought it out. It wasn’t running for three years. I had to replace the fuel lines. It cost about $30 to fix,” Franqui said with a laugh.

National Night Out is important, he said, “because there’s so many crimes right now. I don’t know what’s going on with kids nowadays.”

However, Franqui said he feels safe living in West Lawn since 2011: “All my neighbors are really cool.”

Pastor J.J. Molodecki, 45, of Hope Church Midway, an Assembly of God church at 6059 S. Archer Ave., called the event “a great way to bring awareness to what’s happening.”

Before the parade, Molodecki prayed for residents and police.

“Let’s pray for the police with everything they’re going through,” he said, noting Chicago police will be very busy with the Democratic National Convention at United Center starting Aug. 19.

“God, help them physically as they will go through long days. Help them mentally as they’re dealing with all the things they’ll be dealing with,” he said in his prayer.

“We’re not only praying for them tonight. We pray for them constantly. We care for them and what they’re doing. We pray that you also bless the neighborhood watch,” Molodecki said.

Monica Moreno, 17, of Garfield Ridge, and Alyssa Perez, 16, of Clearing, work for the new Andy’s Frozen Custard, 6366 S. Archer Ave.

Wearing neon green Andy’s T-shirts, they were busy handing out coupons for free concretes.

Moreno, a Kennedy High School student, said National Night Out “brings everybody together, but I don’t know if it will honestly do anything about the crime.”

Perez, who attends Marist High School, was more optimistic, saying, “It makes a difference if people want it.”

Both girls volunteered for the duty because they’d never before been in a parade.

Standing at the southeast corner of Archer and Nordica were Rich and Augustina Collins of Garfield Ridge.

As the parade passed, Rich waved an American flag with a prominent blue stripe that signifies support of the police.

“They do need our support,” Rich, 66, said.

One son-in-law is a retired Chicago police officer who worked in the Chicago Lawn District. Another is a DuPage County Sheriff’s officer. Augustina’s brother is a retired police officer, she said.

“We were taught that the police are to protect us. I don’t know how that changed over the years. It’s unfortunate,” Augustina, 65, said.

Two of the classic cars that were in the National Night Out parade begin their journey.