THE valuable life lessons of stranger danger and road safety were taught to the young learners of Open Air School (OAS) in Berea by retired eThekwini Metro Police officer, Captain Peter Keogh, who visited the school on Monday, March 24.

Keogh, also known as the ‘Laughing Policeman’, injected humour into the life skills lesson as he addressed the learners on various safety tips and the role of law enforcement in keeping them safe. “Never go anywhere with a stranger,” said Keogh to his young audience. “If a person that you do not know calls you to get into his car, run away. If you are riding a bicycle or near a pole, hold on to it tight and do not let go if they want to force you into the vehicle.”

The interactive lesson highlighted road safety, with Keogh sharing a heartfelt moment with the kids on how he lost his wife, Captain Johanna Hendrina Keogh, who was killed by a reckless driver in 2010 while on duty. “There are too many reckless drivers out on the road. Before you cross the road, always stop, look and listen. Do not play on the road,” said Keogh.

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He added, “I hate seeing parents driving on the road with their kids standing on the seat and not buckled up, at the same time while speaking on the phone. I still have nightmares from what I have seen at accident scenes. Always get in the car and put your seatbelt on. If your parents are speaking on the phone, tell them that they are not allowed to be on their cellphones while driving.”

With the assistance of his junior deputy and Open Air learner, Enzo Ntuli, Keogh educated his audience on their rights when it comes to law enforcement and to never be scared to express themselves. “If you are a woman, you cannot be searched by a male officer. If this happens, you must ask to be searched by a female officer because that is your right,” said Keogh.

On interacting with emergency services, Keogh taught the learners to give as many details as possible when calling 10111. He said, “When calling the emergency number to report your case, provide your full name, address or if you do not know it, tell them of a place nearby that can help identify your location, a school or shop.”

The interactive lesson was welcomed by learners and staff. Foundation Phase Head of Department, Anet van Benecke, said the learners enjoyed the lesson and learnt a lot of valuable information through Keogh’s unique style of engaging young people. “The session was part of our Life Skills curriculum and learners benefitted greatly from it. It was an interactive fun way of learning. The theme for the lesson was ‘Safety – myself, road safety and stranger danger’, which I hope they all remember,” said Van Benecke.

“Peter Keogh, the Laughing Policeman, did this event purely for the education of our special learners. With sincere appreciation of this gesture, OAS had to pay this forward by donating food and hygiene products to the KwaMashu old age home and care society. Our school, learners and parents opened their hearts and gave with abundance back to a fragile community in need.”

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