By: Najla Alexander
Morris County Prosecutor's Office Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Samantha DeNegri and Sergeant Patrick LaGuerre visited Long Valley Middle School in Washington Township and led a presentation on bias issues, cyber harassment, and making smart choices about social media, on December 8, according to Morris County officials.
Officials say the MCPO routinely conducts presentations at schools throughout Morris County to engage with local youth about exercising good judgment when it comes to how they interact with others online or in school.
SAP DeNegri and Sgt. LaGuerre stressed that students should be mindful of what they post on social media because how you conduct yourself online could potentially impact your future.
Social media and technology today document everything, even photos and messages you assume were deleted or only temporary, including ones you believe to be private, officials said.
The presenters, officials say, explained the difference between bias crimes and bias incidents, cautioning students that their school administrators can choose to take disciplinary action even if an incident isn't considered criminal.
According to officials, the MCPO routinely conducts presentations at schools throughout Morris County to present on these crucial topics and to talk directly with students.
This year, Sgt. LaGuerre and SAP DeNegri visited Pequannock Valley Road Middle School, Morris Plains Borough Middle School, Brooklawn and Central middle schools in Parsippany-Troy Hills, Byram Lakes Intermediate School, Copeland Middle School, Green Hills School, Randolph Middle School, Dover High School, Gottesman RTW Academy, and Phillipsburg High School in Warren County.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said, "The Morris County Prosecutor's Office shares an absolute commitment to helping our students understand the long-term damage that can result from these behaviors, as well as identifying strategies to resist such actions."