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Bike riders, families and friends turned out Saturday morning for the Bicycle Safety Fair sponsored by the American Fork Police Department and Wal-Mart.
Riders practiced negotiating their bikes around a circular course, through a slalom-like course between cones, and other maneuvers. The event was open to all ages and abilities. Five-year-old Justan Cox was one of the earliest riders going between the cones. His parents said he liked the experience.
Members of the American Fork Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club were also at the event. They had a tent and produced Amber Alert materials for the public. They took pictures and made cards for both children and adults. The cards have physical descriptions of the individuals, including height, weight, coloring and identifying marks such as birthmarks. Even allergies may be listed. There is no name or address on the card.
The information is stored at the National Crime Database and police departments nationwide may have access to the information in the event of a kidnapping or other trauma. The equipment used to make the cards was provided in part by Mountain America Credit Unions.
"We give one card for the parents," said chamber director Debby Lauret. "They can update the information and picture every year."
She said the information can be valuable in the event of a crime, since parents may more easily recall the information with the help of the card. If a parent is unavailable, the information is still on the record.
"This is also a good service for endangered persons, such as senior citizens," Lauret said.
Members of the police department's SWAT team were also on hand, showing some of their weapons to the children and their parents. Those included flash-bangs, battering rams and crowbars they use to open doors.
One of the most popular demonstrations that morning was the canine unit.
As one officer donned a special suit to protect him from bites, the canine handler began treating him as a "suspect."
He called out, "Suspect, do not move or my dog will attack you." The officer portraying the suspect kept on moving and the dog quickly brought him to a stop. A later demonstration including him trying to run away. The dog sped across the parking lot and quickly brought him to the pavement.
Eleven-year-old Becca Larson was one who attended the demonstration.
"I think my favorite part was the dogs," she said. "It was amazing."
Callie Stay, also 11, said she enjoyed the event.
"It was really fun and I really liked it," she said. "The best part was watching them get attacked by the dogs and riding the obstacle course."
Wal-Mart donated 100 helmets to give away to those in attendance and at school bike rodeos in the future. The store also offered four bikes which were given away in a drawing at the end of the morning's demonstrations.
COMMUNITY NOTES
Employee of the month -- Marilyn Moss was chosen as American Fork's Employee of the Month for April. She is a daycare provider at the city's fitness center.
"Whether it's coloring, building, or inventing, you are always thinking of new ways for the children to have fun at the Fitness Center Daycare," Mayor Heber Thompson wrote to her. "The children leave the daycare feeling special and well cared for. Not only do you entertain many children with your enthusiasm, you also have the great ability to take the one who is sad and show them loving one-on-one attention. The energy you bring is a great asset to the daycare team."
City cleanup continues -- American Fork's spring cleanup continues through Saturday. The city has 13 trash receptacles at Art Dye Park, 550 E. 1000 North, for residents to take their refuse. Dumping may be done from 8 a.m. to dusk.
The cleanup effort began last Saturday. Parks Department head Cal Houghton said it was well attended the first day.
"We had a busy day Saturday," he said. "We had a loader up there to help the people. The city crews will monitor and try to keep it clean. With 13 Dumpsters there is plenty to keep people moving and help them clean up."
Contestant orientation -- There will be an orientation Wednesday for those interested in participating in the Miss American Fork Scholarship Pageant or the Miss Outstanding Teen Scholarship Pageant. The workshop for teens will be from 6-7 p.m. and for the Miss American Fork Scholarship Pageant will be from 7-8 p.m. Both will be at the library, 64 S. 100 East.
Both events will be Aug. 16. Participants must live, work or attend school in American Fork to participate in either event.
More information is available from Staci Robison at 362-3681, Renata Smith at 318-3049 or Megan Wettstein at 368-5091. |
