WASHINGTON 鈥斅燭he second annual 鈥淜ids Safety Saturday鈥� took place at the City of Fairfax Police Department on Saturday.
The event gives police officers the chance to聽teach local children the fundamentals of road safety,聽Det.聽Kyle Bruce says.
“We聽teach them turning signals, hand signals for when they’re operating the bike and what to look out for when they’re on the road,” he says. “And obvious bike safety tips like wearing a helmet, and elbow and knee pads, if you need them.鈥�
The officers聽also offered bike repairs and聽inspections, and handed out helmets to some children who couldn’t afford them.
鈥淚 thought it was just going to be like a little obstacle course, but this is terrific,鈥� says聽Nancy DeGrandi, whose 6 year-old son Nathaniel attended the event.
Outside Fairfax City Police Department offering free bicycle safety education today until 1 p.m.
鈥� Kathy Stewart (@KStewart海角社区app)
The children, mainly elementary- and middle school-aged, also learned about skateboarding and pedestrian safety.
Members of the聽City of Fairfax Fire Department were in attendance to give聽fire safety lessons.
Police Chief Carl Pardiny says the event is聽more than just bike safety: It鈥檚 about community outreach.
鈥淚t鈥檚 so important for our officers to be engaged in the community and the community to be engaged with our police officers to get to know us,” Pardiny聽says. “We’re moms and dads and brothers and sister too.聽 It鈥檚 great to have the kids one-on-one with our officers.鈥�
Pardiny says the department hopes to grow the event every year and expand community engagement.
