MELROSE — Chief Michael Lyle is pleased to announce that the Melrose Police Department hosted a successful National Night Out and Bicycle Safety Rodeo this week.

Held on the first Tuesday in August, National Night Out is a nationwide campaign designed to strengthen the relationship between police and fire officials and residents in order to foster partnerships and improve safety in neighborhoods.

As part of the festivities, the Dills Court parking lot, across from the police station on West Foster Street, was lined with public safety and utility vehicles — including the Fire Department’s antique 1925 engine — for children to tour.

Representatives from both the Melrose Police and Fire Departments were on hand, along with members from the National Guard, D&R Paving, which sent a tractor trailer carrying a roller and small paving machine, and the Department of Public Works, which brought an electric vehicle.

In conjunction with National Night Out, Melrose Police also held a bike rodeo to help children learn different procedures aimed at keeping them safe, including changing direction, turning in circles, steering through tight spaces, weaving, stopping quickly, riding the bicycle very slowly while maintaining balance and learning to maneuver tight turns.

Children then had the opportunity to go through a bicycle obstacle course to practice what they learned and earned free prizes for their efforts.

Throughout the evening, approximately 300 community members attended both events, who took the time to get to know officers and firefighters, ask questions and share input about the city.

“We had a great turnout for National Night Out and the Bike Rodeo, with residents of all ages attending both events, “Chief Lyle said. “It’s a priority for the police department to foster community relationships and events like these are perfect opportunities to help us accomplish that goal.”

Chief Lyle would like to thank Joe Guarino from LCM PLUS of Melrose for displaying his equipment and supplying all the refreshments.

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