Fox Chapel Area School District hosts Community Safety Event in Aspinwall

A wet weekend could not dampen the spirits of Fox Chapel Area residents and first responders who participated in the school district’s annual Community Safety Event.

Children received new bicycle helmets, toy prizes, food and much more during the event in the Aspinwall Municipal Parking Lot along Commercial Avenue on May 13.

“Other than the weather, I think it’s been very positive,” said Scott Bailey, school district resource officer and Aspinwall patrolman.

Scattered showers did not have much impact on activities.

“This is our second year doing this,” Bailey said. “Hopefully, next year when we keep doing this, we keep expanding (and) have more first responders activities than the year before.”

Bailey was checking helmets and led children on a police-escorted bike ride through the borough.

Amber Hagmaier’s son, Jackson Hagmaier, 6, was among the children to receive a new helmet.

“(It’s) something to do and learn about safety, come be with the community,” said Amber Hagmaier of Fox Chapel.

Many first responders from the Fox Chapel area participated in the event.

“It’s all about family and connecting with the community,” said Bailey of Fox Chapel. “A lot of people see us differently as authoritative figures. This way we can give back to the community, show that we are humans ourselves.

Aspinwall and Sharpsburg firefighters brought their trucks for families to explore. They also demonstrated how they extract people from crashed vehicles.

O’Hara police showcased some of their tactical equipment. Lower Valley EMS brought an ambulance.

Mechanics from Immel Bicycle Center in Gibsonia did free bike safety checks.

About 200 people attended.

Lily Wein of Highland Park said was driving by with her son, Gael Franco, 2, when a fire truck caught his eye.

“He’s really into fire trucks right now,” Wein said. “He was very excited to get to sit inside one. It’s a really nice event.”

Aspinwall Police Chief David Nemec and Assistant Chief Mike raffled off prizes, including Nerf balls, Disney princesses and several children’s bikes.

Mayor Joseph Noro said he was happy his town could host the event.

“We were honored to have it here,” he said. “We are a community-oriented police department. Having everyone from each community and the school district is just fantastic. It helps the kids that maybe don’t have a helmet and maybe wouldn’t know the safety of their bicycles.”

The school district provided food, including hotdogs and hamburgers. School Resource Officer Dennis Lynch from the O’Hara Elementary School served as grill master.

The safety day was originally scheduled for April 22. It was postponed due to inclement weather.