As the COVID-19 pandemic has caused closures and cancellations throughout the country, the Knoxville Police Department has announced they still plan to hold their annual Helmets and Hot Dogs event. Normally the event takes place as school is dismissing for the summer but due to the pandemic the event was postponed. Knoxville School Resource Officer Kyle Keller tells KNIA/KRLS News the idea for the event came from Chief Aaron Fuller who wanted to get helmets to children in Knoxville that did not have one and as a way to bring the department and the community together for a fun time. 

Currently a time and date for the event has not been set as helmets are currently on backorder. He says the department would like to host the event before the end of summer but if that doesn’t happen the department is preparing a contingency plan. He says right now the department could use the Knoxville High School parking lot which is already set up to distribute meals to the community. He says if the event happens after summer the department would have to find a large area to keep people socially distant and to still allow for participation. 

According to Keller, this year’s event will include a donation box for any resident to donate a new or used helmet as long as it is still in good condition. Keller says once the helmet order is filled the department will make an announcement as to the date and time of the event.