Cincy: Eddie Eagle teaches students about gun safety

Cincinnati.com's Community Press is
reporting that, thanks to Officer Ed Dye and Eddie Eagle, primary students at three Pierce Township schools know what they should do if they ever find a gun.

From the story:

Dye, the school resource officer, presents the Eddie Eagle program at the township's three schools -- Locust Corner Elementary, Merwin Elementary and St. Bernadette -- once each year. Most recently, the program was held at Merwin April 26.

The programs usually are presented in the spring, because some of the students will be at home alone during the summer while their parents are at work, said Pierce Township Police Chief James Smith.

"It's a simple message," he said, "and they take it home and remember it."

Click 'Read More' for the entire story.

During the presentation, the newspaper reports students watch a video about Eddie Eagle and learn his motto: "Stop, don't touch, leave the area and tell an adult", and that after the video, there is an appearance by Eddie Eagle himself.

"It's very well-received by all of our primary children and teachers," said Tom Crahan, principal of Merwin Elementary. "It has raised the level of awareness about gun safety."

Once, a student found a toy gun on the playground and "followed protocol from Eddie Eagle," he said. "It's an entertaining way to get a serious point across."

The newspaper reports that Chief Smith said students and teachers alike find Dye to be a great asset in the schools, telling the newspaper that principals "have found him to be an integral part of their school administrative team," he said.

Principal Crahan concurred, telling the newspaper "We appreciate Pierce Township's collaborative effort to keep our schools safe."

Meanwhile the gun ban lobby continues to use gun safety as a talking point, while doing nothing to make it a reality....