Published: June 13, 2009 08:41 pm      

Officers provide lessons in bicycle safety

Logansport Police Department hosts annual rodeo

Bright orange paint and multiple orange cones were strategically placed in an area at the front of Tower Park Saturday morning.

Children of all ages took turns following the lines and swerving past each cone. A stop sign and railroad crossing required each child to stop and look both ways.

This was the scene at the annual Logansport Police Department Bicycle Rodeo.

Assistant Police Chief Mike Morphet said the main goal of the event was to remind local children about safety habits when riding a bicycle this summer.

“It’s about having a safe summer,” he said. “It’s important to ingrain public safety into their heads.”

The event started nine years ago and has developed into a tradition, enjoyed by both by the children and those helping out.

Officers George Franklin and Mike Neher coordinate the event each year, with the help of several volunteers from the police and fire departments.

Police Chief A.J. Rozzi thought the event went well this year. He said it was a good opportunity for the Logansport police and fire departments to interact with the community.

“We can show we are here to keep the kids safe,” he said.

Officer Danny Farris was pleased with the turnout, but admitted the crowd was somewhat smaller than previous years. This year’s rodeo brought out 185 boys and girls.

Hayli Ogle took her two daughters, six-year-old Tishadequea and 18-month-old Noah, and her four-year-old son Nassaven, for the first time this year. She said the location was convenient since the family lived only two blocks away.

“I saw an advertisement for it a month ago and thought it would be one of the first fun summer events we could all do,” Hayli said.

Tishadequea’s favorite part of the rodeo was riding her bicycle through the course. Hayli said the training was beneficial. She also liked the idea of the bicycle and helmet raffles.

In all, the police department gave away 100 helmets and 16 bicycles.

Jane Williams took her daughter, Allie Williams, 9, and her friend, Madison Brown, 9. Susie Dickerson and her granddaughter, Lena Dickerson, 10, also came along.

It was Lena’s first time to attend the bicycle rodeo, and she had high hopes of winning a bicycle.

“I was anxious,” she said. “It’s fun to be anxious, but not fun when you don’t win.”

Even though she did not win, Lena enjoyed the opportunity to sit in one of the police cars.

Allie and Madison were both excited to go swimming afterward, since each participating child earned a free pass to the swimming pool.

Allie said she even learned something new.

“We learned what to do if we have to go over a railroad track,” she said. “We need to stop and look to see if a train is coming.”

The Logansport Fire Department had its smoke house available for children to climb through, while a group of police department employees served hot dogs and soft drinks.

Rozzi said he hoped the lessons would stick.

“Every little bit helps,” he said. “The last thing we want to hear is an accident with a kid involved while we are on patrol.”

• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com



Bicycle winners

• Katlyn Osborne

• Noe Loran

• Brittney Helvie

• Isai Loran

• Thila Castro

• Michael Lorenso

• Erika Serna

• William Stokes

• Ana Loranzo

• Evan Ulery

• Angel Moss

• Ben Rogers

• Alexus Montine

• Jose Salas

• Erin Ulery

• Cooper Smith



Photo Gallery: Click here to see a photo gallery