Coshocton safety event gives away 20 bikes

Thanks to a community effort, the Coshocton Sheriff’s Office hosted a bicycle safety event at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds on June 9 and was able to give away 20 new bicycles and free helmets.

Sheriff Chris Walters said, “We have monetary donations from the Coshocton Elks, Walhonding Valley Fire Department and the sheriff’s office. Between the three of us there was $2,000 in the pot to buy 20 bicycles. We tried to stay around $100 a bike. So there are 20 bicycles here that the kids can win for free. They get a raffle ticket over where the health department has a tent set up and they are measuring the kids for a free bicycle helmet through a grant we received. When they leave there, they are given a ticket for a chance to win by putting their ticket in one of the black bags connected to whatever bike they would like to win.”

When the kids pick up their lunch they can go inside the grandstand, sit down and Deputy Larry Dusenberry, Coshocton City Schools SRO, will talk about bicycle safety.

“I'm giving the kids a few safety pointers, while they are riding their bikes around town,” he said. “Don't forget to wear their helmet, watch for the traffic, watch the stop lights and stop signs. These are things to remember for everyone’s safety in case they have an accident.

After meeting with Dusenberry they were invited to go over to the city fire safety house, get a child ID kit, and see the inside of an ambulance.

Stacy Alexander said they were having a great time at the event. "I saw it on Facebook, but I didn't tell them until today that we were coming over,” she said. “They are just excited, they love stuff like this, seeing the officers and the fire department."

Desteni Woodby and her sons, Aaden, Koaen and Aspen, were trying on their free helmets and entered their tickets in for a new bicycle. "I told them, you've got to remember, you might not get one, but the helmets are free,” she said. “They have a whole bunch of helmets all sizes and they have a lot of things going on inside. You never know what that will be.”