Striking a chord with community safety

RAISING safety awareness through laughter, the Laughing Policeman was received with fun and laughter at Westville Senior Primary. Known as the Laughing Cop, Peter Keogh said he is always happy to raise awareness using techniques that would be easier for children to understand through laughter and singing.

Keogh is a retired Metro Police officer who has dedicated his pension years to raising awareness on safety tips for children. He travels around Durban schools doing talks on safety tips, including road safety, safety from strangers and tips on how to work with the police during emergency calls.

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Keogh said his passion comes after he lost his wife who was on duty when he was run over by a car and died. Through his talk, his aim is to spread the message to keep people safe by teaching children about not only road tips but safety in general.

“It is always important to equip children with simple information that can save their lives and their parents. Children are the vulnerable part of society and can be gullible and taken advantage of. Parents/teachers/police will not always be around, so it is, therefore, important to give children tips that will always keep them safe,” he said.

In his talk at Westville Senior Primary, Keogh demonstrated to the learners how they can easily get kidnapped if they do not take safety precautions by asking important questions when approached by a stranger.

“It is easier for the child to understand when you use an example in their daily routine. Kidnappings do happen in our communities, and it is important to teach children how to protect themselves.

“Parents must communicate with their kids not to leave with strangers. Always tell your kids that you will let the school know if someone out of the norm is coming to pick them up.”

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He further said that children can influence their parents to follow safe road rules while driving or on the road. “When we teach children about this, they will be able to spot it and tell their parents to do the right thing – things such as wearing seat belts and not texting and driving,” he said.

Keogh said he is grateful for the support he receives from the Metro police and teachers in different schools as he passes this message around schools in Durban.

“Teachers are supportive and have made requests for more visits. I am happy to see the message being received well. It is important for parents and teachers to enforce this at home and at schools.

“It is also important for the community to work with the police in keeping the community safe. Police are meant to keep the community safe, and children should not be made to fear the police,” he said.

Keogh said he is looking forward to working with schools and parents in keeping children and the community safe.

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