For the second straight year, the Ocean City Police Department made a presentation on pedestrian and bicycle safety to students in grades 1 to 3 at the Ocean City Primary School.
Sgt. Brian Hopely, head of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit, and Jen Elias of the Community Policing Unit, led an assembly on Tuesday afternoon in the school auditorium.
Using slides, videos, demonstrations and a question-and-answer session, the officers taught the rules of the road on foot and on bike — with a special emphasis on the importance of wearing helmets.
The students watched a honeydew melon smash to pieces as Hopely dropped it from overhead onto the stage in the cafeteria/auditorium where the assembly was held. A second melon protected by a bicycle helmet survived the same fall intact.
The local police union, PBA Local No. 61, donated a small number of helmets and prizes that were distributed to students that helped with demonstrations or answered questions.
The entire presentation was a hit with the students — with plenty of interaction.
But the biggest cheers were reserved for the end when Hopely announced that each participating class would receive a pizza party and ride tickets for a spring outing.
Manco & Manco Pizza, Playland’s Castaway Cove and Gillian’s Wonderland Pier donated the gifts.
