Wooster Police, Eddie Eagle team up to teach gun safety to students

The Wooster Daily-Record reported recently that a group of kindergartners at Wooster Christian School recently had the opportunity to meet Eddie, interact with him, and learn about gun safety, all thanks to the efforts of the Wooster Police Department.

From the story:

Eddie Eagle is the department's newest asset in gun safety and prevention. He's a more than 6-foot tall, beaked beacon trying to teach kids how to properly react in a situation when a gun is found.

...Gathered in a cluster on the ground, Patrolman Tom Webber started his presentation talking about what children can do to remain safe, whether it was wearing a helmet when riding a bike, locking doors at night or not talking to strangers. From there, Webber moved the conversation to gun safety.

Following an informational cartoon featuring a bald eagle instructing kids on gun safety, Webber then reviewed how kids can stay safe. Paying an homage to the famous stop, drop, and roll technique for fire safety, students were instructed to "stop, don't touch, leave the area, and tell an adult."

"Fifty percent of households in the U.S., there will be a firearm in the house," he said, before the presentation. "The chance of them coming into contact with a gun is pretty significant."

Webber said he used to talk regularly to Wooster Christian School about safety issues, but later learned Ohio was a fully funded state through the NRA, and police departments could receive free literature and tools to implement programming.

"It's going very well," Webber said. "The kids are very responsive to the program. It's on their level."

The story goes on to note that Eddie is part of the Eddie Eagle GunSafe program, part of a grant through the National Rifle Association. The department was awarded $934. It also received a $500 donation from the Izaak Walton League.

According to the NRA, since the program was started, the annual number of accidental firearm-related deaths among children declined more than 80 percent.

Sgt. Kristopher Conwill, who helps with the program, said it was geared towards children at an age when its not too early to learn about gun safety. He said its a point when they are impressionable and their curiosity is high.

"The students have something they can relate to," he said. "It's not a police officer coming in and preaching to them ... it gives a good, positive, relatable experience with police."

Eddie has the makings of a NCAA mascot: The oversized feet, hands, and head. There's even a fan inside the suit to keep the officer cool.

After some practicing of the slogan, some handshakes with feathers, Webber excused Eddie, saying he had another class to go to. Kids even got certificates for their participation.

Webber said the department's hope is to get the program into as many schools as it can. So far, the department has presented the program to more than 60 kids.

"The kids are thrilled," kindergarten teacher Karen Scully is quoted as saying. "It talks about things I never touch on."