Morris County Prosecutor’s Office talks on bias, cyberbullying at Gottesman RTW Academy

RANDOLPH TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) – Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Samantha DeNegri and Sergeant Patrick LaGuerre Thursday visited the students of Gottesman RTW Academy in Randolph, and led a discussion on cyberbullying and bias incidents, and the importance of making smart choices.

The presenters noted that even though the students were in middle school, exercising good judgement when it comes to how you interact with others online or what you post on social media is essential, as it unfortunately could impact your future. Social media and technology document everything, and photos and messages you believe are deleted or only temporary can still be accessed and potentially shared.

SAP DeNegri and Sgt. LaGuerre explained to the students the difference between bias crimes and bias incidents, and how schools can issue their own disciplinary actions even if a situation isn’t considered criminal. They recalled how recalled scholarships and college acceptances have been revoked due to recipients having posted regrettable material shared on social media.

Students were able to ask questions of the presenters and share what they learned during the program.

The MCPO routinely holds bias and bullying presentations at area schools. This winter, Sgt. LaGuerre and SAP DeNegri visited Morris Plains Borough Middle School, Byram Lakes Intermediate School, Copeland Middle School, Green Hills School, Randolph Middle School, and Dover High School.

“Students today are growing up in a very connected digital world. It’s the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office’s goal to enable our students to make smart choices about how they interact online and in school,” Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said.