Palm Bay Police Partner with Back 2 School Festival to Promote Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety

The City of Palm Bay Police and Fire Departments are joining CenterPointe Church in kicking off the 2017-2018 school year on a high note at the Back 2 School Event to be held on Saturday, July 15th, 2017, 8:00 a.m. through 11:00 a.m., or while supplies last.

The Palm Bay Police Department will be focusing on pedestrian and bicycle safety at this year’s event.   Officers, VCOPS, and citizens who are trained in properly fitting helmets will be handing out over 200 helmets to the children who participate in the bicycle rodeo. In addition to a free helmet, participants will be given an opportunity to navigate a bicycle safety course. The course will include miniaturized traffic and pedestrian safety scenarios.  Lessons such as where to ride on the road, how to hand signal, how to safely cross an intersection, and how to properly wear a bicycle helmet are demonstrated and discussed. Bicycles will be on loan for the event in a variety of sizes. The  participants can test their steering skills and practice safe riding, all while having fun.

There will be other demonstrations, resources and activities provided by both the Palm Bay Police and Fire Departments. The Police Department’s SWAT team will be on hand for demonstrations. The city’s V-Cops will be providing free finger printing. Palm Bay Fire-Rescue will have a fire engine at the event. They will be providing coloring books, pencils and other items for the backpacks being distributed at the event.

This is an annual event hosted by CenterPointe Church, 891 Coply St. SE, Palm Bay.  Over 500 volunteers work together to provide backpacks, school supplies, doctor and dentist check-ups, eye exams, and much more for more than 2,000 children in South Brevard.