Trempealeau police program to reward children for bicycle helmets

Kids in Trempealeau this summer will receive the best type of police citation a person can receive — so long as they are being safe on their bicycles.

A new program in the Trempealeau Police Department will see officers hand out what police chief Jeremy Randall called “helmet citations”, tickets that will be given to children who are seen safely riding a bicycle or scooter with their helmet.

The program, set to begin last Thursday, was made possible after a citizen called the department looking for ways to support children in the community and recognize those who are being responsible on their bicycles.

“It’s a great program,” Randall said, adding that in the past the department has rewarded kids with free ice cream coupons and other gifts for being responsible during the summer months.

The helmet citations are a two-part reward, as children will fill out their information and bring the citation to the Trempealeau Hotel, which will give kids a free root beer.

The second part of the citations can also be turned into the hotel and enters the child for a drawing for a family dinner or pizza party. Citations can also be turned into the municipal pool, the library or the Trempealeau Hotel for prize drawings throughout the summer.

Randall said the program would not have been possible without area sponsors, which include the Trempealeau Bike Park, Savvy Tech Advice, Trempealeau Hotel, Wessel-Trim team at Properties La Crosse and Hilltopper Refuse & Recycling.

While most children might be more excited about the potential for prizes and free root beer, wearing a helmet should be a priority for families, Randall said.

“It’s extremely important. If you make a mistake or someone else makes a mistake and runs into someone on a bicycle or scooter or something of that sort and they have any head trauma, it could be life threatening,” the chief said.

“This is the perfect way to prevent that.”