UPDATE - Pike’s Trail Ride Was Largely a Success - First Responders and Private Security Services worked together to keep the event peaceful and with few incidents.

 

The annual Pike’s Trail Ride had a lot of eyes on it this year, as the organizers and the City of Calvert had gone out of their way to work together to make this annual event a success. Thousands of people head to Calvert every year to celebrate the birthday of Mozel “Pike” Williams, a young man lost in the spring of his youth, and to honor the trail riding tradition. Jamison Williams, the main event organizer, was determined to show that the Pike’s trail ride would be a success.

Cedric Watson, Calvert’s Chief of Police, reported that the Pike’s Trail Ride was largely a law enforcement success, with very few incidents or injury, all which were handled swiftly by local law enforcement, emergency services and the private security firm, Salvation Security, that the organizers hired to work onsite. Watson reported that there was a hit-and-run outside the park area, in which Constable David Ray provided assistance on scene with stabilizing the victims. There was one other arrest during the event, for Public Intoxication. Local security services were efficient at keeping weapons off site and ensuring the event was a safe, yet raucous good time. 

Over 2500 people attended the annual event that included the trail ride itself and the concert afterward. Food vendors set up early to entice the revelers with smells of BBQ brisket and fresh lemonade. The riders set off at 6:00 pm on their journey up Texas St past the Spigner school and Tidwell Creek area and then back around to Payne Kemp Park. The music and dancing started long before the concert, but the crowds swelled as the DJ started to spin the tracks and the party really kicked off. 

The large crowds brought revenue to the area as well, with revelers from all over Texas heading to the local convenience stores and restaurants in Calvert, and in Hearne, as the crowds headed home after the party. While Hearne PD was essential in assisting in the apprehension of the suspect in the hit-and-run, they also showed a presence at the 24-hour gas stations to help keep the crowds flowing. This was a good trial run for Hearne PD before the upcoming Zach Top concert scheduled for September, as the local gas stations will inevitably fill up with out-of-town revelers after the giant concert. 

The combined resources of the City of Calvert, Calvert PD, Robertson County Sheriff’s Department and Emergency Services and Salvation Security all worked together to make for a great annual event that will hopefully continue to bring big crowds and revenue to the area. 

UPDATE:
After speaking with Constable David Ray, the Central Texas Star would like to clarify and correct the previous article. Hearne Police Department did not assist in the detention of the fit and run suspect, but did provide a police presence to the 24-hour locations in the area. Sheriff's Deputy Gracy was the officer who stopped and detained the suspect until Ray could arrive to question her. Constable Ray wanted to reiterate that the event went well, considering it was the first time coordinating multiple agencies and resources, but he made some salient points about how to improve safety for next year's event. "The event went well, and everyone did their best to coordinate, but there were some things that made maintaining the safety of the event that much more difficult. Most of these problems can be solved with better technology and road flow. We should also have the EMS on standby for health events." stated Ray in a phone interview.

Many of the people who attended the event have since spoken about how well they felt it went. Most that have spoken to our reporter were glad to have the extra security and hoped that the event can only improve in years to come.