Newark Police Officers Visit Schools: Bullying Prevention Month

NEWARK, NJ — The Newark Department of Public Safety (NDPS) will be commemorating National Bullying Prevention Month with a series of anti-bullying meetings with students throughout the city’s public schools.

As part of National Bullying Prevention Month, school resource officers and police personnel assigned to provide juvenile services are meeting with students throughout the City of Newark to spread the message of prevention, safety and support to students in the area of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) policies.

According to the NDPS:

“One of every five students report being bullied during the school year. And because the percentage of individuals who have experienced cyber bullying has nearly doubled over the past decade, School resource officers will train students on preventing, recognizing and knowing what they should do if they or someone they know becomes the target of cyber bullying. Cyber bullying occurs online or via social media and often goes unnoticed by parents and teachers because it is less overt than physical bullying.”

So far in October, Newark Police Division School Resource Officers and other police officers have conducted 14 Anti-Bullying Presentations at: Elliot Street School; Hawthorne Avenue School; Ann Street School; American History High School; Malcolm X Shabazz High School; and Maria L. Varisco School.

The following schools are also scheduled to receive Anti-Bullying presentations by Newark police:

• George Washington Carver School, on Thursday, October 18th
• Lincoln Avenue School, on Thursday, October 18th
• Maria L. Varisco School, on Thursday, October 18th
• Oliver Street School, on Friday, October 19th
• Roberto Clemente Middle School, on Friday, October 19th
• North Star West Side Campus, TBD
• Belmont Runyon Elementary School, TBD
• Brick Peshine Academy, TBD

The Newark Police Division will continue offering anti-bullying training to strengthen awareness beyond the month of October, officials said.

“During National Bullying Prevention Month, Newark students will become empowered to recognize and report this behavior whenever they see it, online or otherwise,” NDPS Director Anthony Ambrose said. “Our officers will train students on the impact bullying has on its victims and how to be proactive in keeping our schools and neighborhoods safe.”

• See related article: Bullying Prevention Month In Essex County (Stand Up, Speak Out)
• See related article: Newark's Inspiring School Laundromat On 'Ellen Show' (VIDEO)

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page here. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photos: NDPS