Squad car sirens wailed and traffic temporarily came to a halt on West Laurel streets July 11, but not because of crime: Police officers were going for an evening bike ride with local kids as part of an event called Biking with Beasock.

Cpl. James Beasock, a community police officer for District 6 in Prince George's County; and his partner, Cpl. Gerald Knight, organize neighborhood walks and train crime watch groups throughout the district. The biking program is their latest effort to connect with Laurel's youngest residents.

"It seems like a lot of kids today are afraid of police officers," said Beasock. He explained that sirens and flashing lights can make police seem intimidating to young people. His aim is for children to know him by his name and not by his uniform.

The idea behind the bike ride was to come up with an activity that police and children could enjoy together.

"We decided, let's do a bike ride, because all kids like to bike," said Knight.

A ride scheduled in June had to be canceled due to rain.

A group of 40 kids, parents and police officers gathered at Bond Mill Elementary Monday at 6 p.m. for the ride. Knight gave a brief speech about bike safety — telling everyone to wear helmets, stick together and keep to the right of the road — and then they were off, a colorful cluster of kids on two-wheelers, bikes with training wheels, a wheelchair and even a motorized four-wheel mini truck.

Police cruisers and officers on bikes led the group and followed up the rear to keep the group on track. Knight briefly stopped traffic each time they reached an intersection, to make sure everyone crossed safely. The route followed Bond Mill Road to Bradford Drive, Wayne Avenue and Park Hall Drive, then back to the school. There were several water stops along the way, manned by community members and Boy Scouts from Troop 1673, to ensure participants stayed hydrated in the balmy weather.

The bike ride ended with a sweet surprise — free ice cream for every participant.

Knight said community events like the bike ride are instrumental in keeping crime rates low. Crime has decreased 85 percent in communities with neighborhood watch groups since he and Beasock started organizing the groups 18 months ago, he said.

Beasock said that police don't have many problems with children. Knight added that showing kids community support can help keep them on the right track.

"Young folks need to know that they're empowered, that their voice is heard," Knight said.

James Pringle accompanied his two children, Morgan and James Jr., both students at Bond Mill Elementary, on the bike ride. Events like Biking with Beasock "build a positive relationship with the police," Pringle said. "It takes away the scariness and makes them seem like they're normal people just like we are."

Joe Rinker, another Bond Mill Elementary parent, also rode along with his children.

"I wanted to come out for exercise and just to have fun," Theresa Rinker, a rising fifth-grader, said.

"I really like biking, and I thought it would be a better alternative to just sitting all night," Michael Stroud, a second-grader at Bond Mill Elementary, said about the event.

Beth Evans, director of public affairs for the West Laurel Civic Association and a Neighborhood Watch coordinator, said Beasock had already become a familiar face on her block.

"All the kids know him, and they know his cruiser number," she said. "He just tries so hard for everybody."

Beasock said he was pleased with the turnout.

"Every time I ride around now, there will be kids who say, 'Hey, it's Officer Beasock,' " he said. "That's a great feeling."