Community-oriented policing has become the staple of the Aspinwall Police Department.

Officers have led children around town on bike runs, served up slices at Pizza with the Police and provided popcorn during the Movies in the Park series at Ben Killian Field.

The department recently combined all three activities to have a jamboree July 22 for its second movie screening this summer.

Patrolman Mike Broker starting things off a little after 7:30 p.m. at the Aspinwall Recreational Area with nearly a dozen kids on bicycles, scooters and even a battery-operated moped.

Riders went down Field Avenue to Third Street, down to Lexington Avenue, onto Fourth Street and back to the park. At least one other officer assisted with traffic control.

“It helps build community relations and stuff like that,” said Broker, a member of the Air National Guard. “It gives names to faces with the officers and kids. It’s a little bit of exercise. Gets you out, and gets the kids moving (and) away from video games. We stop at stop signs, make sure everyone’s with us. We don’t leave anybody behind and follow the rules of the road.

“On the last stretch, we’re full speed ahead to get to the pizza.”

The borough bought multiple pizzas from Casa Del Sole. Officers served slices, free drinks and popcorn as well as handed out stickers and glow sticks. Police from O’Hara also stopped by.

“It would never work without the help of everyone,” said Aspinwall Deputy Chief Mike Vith.

Phillip Jannetta, 4, of Aspinwall was among the many who enjoyed the food. He was at the park with sisters Grace, 1, Stella, 3, and their mother, Rachel Jannetta.

“It’s great that the kids get to meet the police officers,” Jannetta said. “They see them around town. They’re very involved with all the kids. I think it’s fantastic. This event is great. It brings everybody out. We get to see other neighbors, other kids in town. We were (at) this event last year. It’s great to see it continue. We’re all out here on a Friday night. It’s fantastic.”

The movie that night was “Space Jam: A New Legacy” featuring NBA star LeBron James, Don Cheadle (numerous Marvel films) and a host of Warner Bros. animated characters.

About 40 people watched from the field and bleachers.

Mayor Joe Noro said it was a smaller crowd than usual, and expects more people to show up for screenings later this year.

“Right now it’s vacation time,” Noro said. “As time goes on the crowds will get bigger. We also invite other police stations around us. We start showing around 8:30 p.m. when it starts getting dark out.”

The next Movies in the Park is scheduled for Aug. 12.

It is Disney’s “Encanto,” an animated story about an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to hea l— every child except one, Mirabel (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz).

She discovers that the magic surrounding the town is in danger and decides to take action.

A link to the movie trailer is available at bit.ly/3S6sirX.

More information about Movies in the Park and other officer events is available at the Aspinwall Police Department Facebook page.

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