Kids, cops, firefighters get rolling for Bike-A-Palooza
Mansfield saw its police officers and emergency personnel in a different light at Bike-A-Palooza, the annual family festival held at North Lake Park on a sunny morning.
“I think we’ve had good weather every year we’ve done this,” Sgt. Jon Ahles said of Saturday's event. “This brings the community together."
This year Bike-A-Palooza had more sponsors for the free event.
“Every year it’s getting bigger,” said Ahles “We’re fortunate, but at the same time, it’s unfortunate because there is a growing need.”
Community unity is the key
“It allows us to build relationships with residents,” said Police Chief Keith Porch.
Activities included a 20-minute group bike ride through the neighborhood and a police K-9 demonstration.
The community sees the police as regular citizens.
“It’s good for the community to see us in a different light,” said Ahles. “They can see us as people and not police officers.”
Free bike repairs were provided by mechanics who have gotten up to speed on the mechanical needs of bikes.
“I’ve become intimate with every kind of bike and every kind of braking system,” said Nelson Shogren of First Christian Church.
Shogren is also a member of Richland Moves, a bicycle advocacy group active in the community.
Gives kids a sense of self-confidencece
“I think it’s great that the police are leveraging bicycling, because it instills a sense of self-confidence in the kids,” said Pastor Tom Roepke of Linden Road Presbyterian Church.
The simple components of bikes make them relatively easy to repair.
“Air, brakes and chains, “said Roepke.
Bike-A-Palooza has been an integral part of the Mansfield community since the early 2000s.
“In 2002 or 2003,” said Ahles, “we started out as a grant-funded activity.”
All children who registered received a free helmet. The raffle of bikes is a signature part of the event. This year had 31 bikes to raffle.
“The police chief and City Council members will present the bikes to the raffle winners,” said Ahles. “It’s nice to have elected officials here and to hug a fireman; who doesn’t like to hug a fireman?”
Budding police officers between the ages of 14 and 21 helped man the event.
“It’s a good experience for me and the Explorers,” said Ahles. “We teach them about police work. About half of the group go into the military and about half go into law enforcement.”
The Explorers' main fundraiser is in October at the Haunted Ohio State Reformatory.
The police chief is onboard for the event at Mansfield's historic prison.
“The chief is real supportive,” said Ahles. “He has guys work overtime for the event.”
Directing people is easier than sales.
“It’s organized chaos with 10,000 people in a weekend,” said Ahles. “The prison pays us to park the cars all month. That beats having to sell popcorn all year.”
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Free Bike-A-Palooza brings kids, cops, firefighters together
