The Alternative Press

LIVINGSTON, NJ - In accordance to Anti-Violence and Red Ribbon Week, Police Officers Stan Valles and Joy Klapal visited all township elementary schools to teach children about anti-bullying and internet safety lessons. 

Valles and Klapal made one of their last visits for the week to Mount Pleasant Elementary School to talk to fourth and fifth graders.

“Even though its Red Ribbon week, every day should be drug and anti-violence awareness,” Valles said.

Valles and Klapal discussed different forms of bully to children such as physical, verbal, cyber and emotional.

“Words can absolutely hurt, so choose your words carefully,” Valles said.

Another message the officers wanted to get across to the children was once something is sent, whether on a cell phone or through the internet, it can never truly get deleted because police have the capability to resurface deleted items.

When asked if they have their own cell phones and computers in their room, most children raised their hands. 

“At your age, you should only use a cell phone in case of emergency.  You shouldn’t just text with no meaningful purpose,” Valles said.

He also said that cell phones and computers are very powerful and can impact a lot of people.

“With great power, comes great responsibility. Cell phones aren’t toys, so please make sure you don’t send out bullying text messages,” Valles said.

Klapal suggested that students approach an adult such as a parent or teacher if they receive a bullying text message or email and it should not be forwarded to any others.

The officers also expressed that at their age, the students should be monitored when going online. 

“We think your parents should be able to monitor your actions, so they should have all of your passwords,” Klapal said. 

As far as Facebook goes, Valles and Klapal suggested that years down the line when the students do create accounts, they should be very careful about what they post.

“Companies and colleges can access Facebook accounts to look at pictures and other activity and what you post can ultimately be the deciding factor if you get hired or accepted,” Klapal said.

Before the officers left, they went over some last tips for students to follow such as “make sure your parents set up play dates, let them know where you are at all times and stay away from video games rated M for mature such as Call of Duty.”