BY DAN NEWMAN
Staff Writer
HAZLET — Helmet-wearing kids on bicycles may be rewarded with more than safety this summer.
As part of the township police department’s Helmet Program, police officers will be issuing coupons, donated by local merchants throughout the summer to children who wear helmets while riding their bikes, skateboards and Rollerblades.
Patrolwoman Jacqueline Sieber, got the idea to start the program from a similar one that was started locally.
"The program they had in Middletown was really successful, and so I thought we could do the same thing here in Hazlet," Sieber said. "So far, it’s worked out really well."
One of the people that oversees the Middletown program, Police Sgt. William Colangelo, said it has benefited all involved.
"The kids who ride their bikes are learning the value of safety and the businesses that are helping out now know that we (the police department) care about the community. It’s a win-win situation all around," Colangelo said.
State law, adopted in 1992, requires that all children under 14 are required to wear an approved helmet while operating a bicycle or being a passenger on one.
Besides getting kids to follow the law, there’s more to the program.
"It’s important that kids know that they should be wearing their helmets, but this program also has a lot to do with good community relations. When businesses see that we’re out in the community trying to help kids out, they appreciate it," Sieber said. "Each business that we brought the program to was more than happy to help out."
The program has been responsible for handing out approximately 25-30 coupons per day since it started June 21, a number that Sieber said she envisions rising as the word spreads.
"I think in the beginning a lot of kids were not sure what was going on. But then they go and tell their friends that they’re able to get free ice cream and pizza just for wearing their helmets. Once the word gets out, not only will more kids be out on their bikes, but they’ll also wear their helmets, which is what they’re supposed to be doing," Sieber said.
While the program has received plenty of positive feedback from community members, it’s the kids who are profiting the most.
"I personally have not seen the same kids twice yet, but I am sure as the summer goes on, some faces will become more recognizable than others. As long as the kids are going to follow the law, then that’s what matters most," Sieber said.
As for the initial reaction of the kids who get "pulled over," it’s an all too familiar one for police officers.
"At first, the kids freeze when they see us because they think they may be in trouble for doing something wrong. All we want do is just give them some credit for doing something right, and then give them a coupon as well, Sieber said.
"Some of these kids are really funny. The most interesting thing I have seen so far is the time I was at a house handling a call and when I was leaving, there were a bunch of kids right near my squad car and of course they had their helmets on waiting for the coupons."