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Police warn about e‑bike safety, collect flood relief items; fire chief reports 40 calls in June
Summary
Bethel Park Police Chief and the volunteer fire company reported on public-safety issues: ebike safety guidance, a donation drive for Central Texas flood victims, National Night Out details, and the fire company's June response totals and fundraising activities.
Bethel Park Police Chief Arnold used his report to warn residents about unsafe e‑bike operation and to describe a donation drive for flood victims in Central Texas. "They are a pedicycle with electric assist. They weigh less than a 100 pounds. The motor cannot be more than 750 watts. They have operable pedals," Arnold said, summarizing state e‑bike characteristics and local expectations for riders.
Arnold said e‑bikes "are not capable of going faster than 20 miles per hour on a level surface when powered by the motor only. Lighting must be used when operating between sunset and sunrise. You must be 16 years of age, but do not need a license. Lastly, ebikes may be operated on the roadway, but the operators must follow the vehicle code the same as any other operator on the roadway." He said many complaints involve juveniles riding erratically on roadways and the Montour Trail and urged parents to discuss safe operation with their children.
The police department is partnering with the Brothers Brother Foundation to collect travel-sized hygiene supplies for Central Texas flood victims. Chief Arnold listed acceptable items: travel-size toothbrushes and toothpaste, bars of soap, body wash, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, hand sanitizer, tissue packs, feminine-hygiene products, lotion, flushable wipes, ChapStick and zipper gallon bags. Donation boxes will be placed at the police department lobby, the library, the community center and EV True Value on Library Road; donation boxes will also be at the Art and Music Festival. Donations can be shipped via Amazon addressed to "Bethel Park Police, in care of Officer Karuba, 5100 West Library Avenue, Bethel Park, PA 15102." The chief said full details are on the department's social media pages.
Chief Arnold also announced National Night Out will be Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Miner's Memorial Park, with emergency vehicles on display, raffles, a DJ, face painting, character visits and free vendor activities.
Captain Jonathan Mark, representing the Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Company, reported the department responded to 40 calls in June, including three structure fires, one vehicle extrication, one elevator rescue, two gas leaks, 16 fire alarms and three carbon-monoxide alarms. Year-to-date calls totaled 351, the captain said. The fire company will sell concessions at the Art and Music Festival and is running a fundraising raffle on its separate Facebook page.
