Tuckahoe PD Celebrates Community Day

Parents are always eager to do their best for their children, but when it comes to car seats, only 20 percent seem to be getting it right.

"More than 80 percent of vehicles that come to a safety seat checkpoint have an issue," said Tuckahoe police officer John Zocchi at the department's 7th annual Community Day on Saturday. "Many seats and latches aren't installed properly or the seat belts are not tight enough. Most problems happen when the seat is loose."

The department uses each check not only as a service for parents but also a great way to share knowledge.

"The New York State laws are constantly changing. Most recently, children are now required to remain in a safety seat until eight years of age," Zocchi said.

 In partnership with The Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe, the Tuckahoe Police Department's free Community Day is a popular effort to build strong relationships between police and residents.

The Safe Riders Day portion of the event can be lifesaving.

It was held between 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and an assembly line of events flowed with precision. Officer Emily Yankowski of the Tuckahoe Police Department led me through the stations.

"First, each participant registers their bike and receives a license in case it's lost or stolen. Then each participant is sized for a free helmet. We have Officers Santiago and Zirolnik from the Bicycle Patrol Unit conducting bicycle safety inspections. Next, they complete our safe riders obstacle course.  Upon completion of the course each participant receives a safe rider certificate, gift bag with child ID kit, and a raffle ticket to win a brand new bicycle," she said.

Ten new bikes were raffled off to 10 lucky children of Tuckahoe. Mayor John Fitzpatrick was on hand to announce the winners. Young Julia Devito at age 2 ½ was a winner of a new bicycle. Her mom plans to save it for a few years until she gets a bit bigger. But Julia was determined to try it out now.

New York State Sen. Jeff Klein, who represents the area, spoke about the importance of Safe Riders Day.

"Today is an important day. With childhood obesity on the rise and the official start of summer upon us, this day encourages our children to get out and exercise," he said. "We must make sure they're all safe."

Klein was also available to pitch the first ball of the cops for kids kickball/softball tournament. The goal of the tournament was to promote positive relationships between town kids and police officers. Results: Kickball —Maroon Marauders vs. Yellow Fever 14-10 but the Maroon team donated 2 points to the Yellow Team for a tied score of 12-12. Softball — Games 2 and 3 were combined into one. The Mad Dogs defeated the Yellow Jackets in 7 innings final score: 16-9.

The department's Coordinator of Youth Events Sgt. Peggy Belles described the importance of the game.

"We intentionally have the Cops for Kids Tournament every year right before graduation. Every year the kids look forward to the game and we have almost 100 percent participation from our force of 26. We learn their faces and names and they learn ours. We don't play against the kids but with them.  Through the game, we build relationships and respect with one another.  The game reflects what we do every day; we serve their community and support them."

Pia Marcoccia's oldest boys Vito, Nicolino, and Gian Carlo, ages 9, 7, and 4 respectively, played on the Maroon Marauders during the kickball game.  Their 1-year-old brother Marco, looked on and later ran out on the field.

"The weather is gorgeous," she said. "I am here every year because it's a lot of fun for the kids."

Food was not forgotten: Throughout the day the Tuckahoe Police Force was on hand to grill hot dogs and hamburgers. They also supplied water, Gatorade, pretzels, and watermelon for the community.