OPD's Bike for Badges Jr. set for Saturday

By Alyssa Schnugg
Staff writer
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

For the last two years, Bike for Badges has been a mountain bike event on the Whirlpool Trails; however, this year the event will involve kids and the “mountain” will be the downtown Square.

Oxford Police Department’s Bike for Badges Junior will start at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 28 on the Lafayette County Courthouse Lawn.
Children ages 5-10 are invited to bring their bikes and race around the Square. There is no cost to participate.
Officer Blake Horton started the event three years ago as a way to promote biking and raise funds for the Oxford Peace Officers Association that provides financial assistance to officers and their families in the case of an emergency or illness.
“I’m a big biker and I wanted a way to use that and give back to the community,” Horton said.
Cones will be set up to create an obstacle course for the bikers and T-shirts will be available for purchase. Children will also have an opportunity to meet some of the OPD Mounted Patrol horses.
The emphasis on this year’s event, Horton said, is bonding with the younger members of the community and their families, rather than fundraising since the event is free. Any money made selling T-shirts or received through donations will go to the Peace Officers Association.
“The biking part will last for about an hour,” he said. “Then we will socialize and spend time with the community. A lot of our officers grew up here. It’s important for us to let people know that while we have a job to do, we’re part of this community and we want to connect with them.”
The event was originally scheduled for June 23rd but was rescheduled due to bad weather. According to the National Weather Service, Saturday is expected to be partly sunny with a 30 percent chance of rain in the afternoon.
For more information, email Horton at bhorton@oxfordpolice.net.