DETROIT – Detroit police Chief James White has said over and over again how accidental shootings of children are an issue that is 100% preventable.
White worked to drive home that point during a gun safety event held at John R. King Academic and Performing Arts Academy on Thursday (Dec. 21). The goal was to get adults to understand the dangers and do something about it.
The message being taught by Detroit police officers brought insight into the lesson of gun safety and what to do if any of the precious young lives find a gun.
Mixed in with the message were the delivery of gifts, gift cards, and gun locks for the kids to take home in hopes that they put them to use.
“We have to keep the guns out of the children’s hands as if we leave them out, something is going to happen,” said officer Todd Eads.
While Local 4 was in attendance, we noticed a person bringing in a large box filled with teddy bears.
“This is what we do hear at Bear Hug Detroit as we deliver bears to the kids that need them,” said Holly Hutton.
Things didn’t fare the same for a 5-year-old who found an unsecured gun in his apartment on Dec. 10 and fatally shot himself.
The students being taught about gun safety were his classmates.
Officers from DPD’s 2nd Precinct worked so hard to deliver Thursday’s lesson right before those kids headed home for Christmas break.
“It’s our responsibility to the children if we leave the guns out, something’s going to happen,” Eads said.