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. Cops talking to kids in an assembly - Topics include anti-Bullying tactics for school, church, etc, as well as how do deal with Cyber bullying.

Children Say NO to Bullying School Assembly Tells Students to Take a Stand against Bullying July 21, 2011 West Los Angeles -- The sixth, seventh and eighth grade students at Orville Wright Middle School in West Los Angeles took a pledge to stand-up against bullying during a 30 minute assembly held in the school gymnasium. Organized by community volunteer Monica Harmon, members of the Los Angeles Police Department's Pacific Division spoke to the crowd of a few hundred students and offered them some examples of not only bullying, but cyber-bullying as well. “If you are being bullied don't be afraid to tell someone,” said Senior Lead Officer Marcy Garcia. “Don't feel like you are alone.” There are different types of bullying including verbal, social, physical and cyber. Some examples include name-calling, teasing, spreading rumors, leaving people out on purpose, breaking up friendships, hitting, punching, shoving, and using the internet and mobile phones or other digital technologies to harm others.

In addition to the lecture on bullying the students were also shown a series of short videos, news reports and public service announcements on the seriousness of bullying. At the end of the assembly, all the students in attendance took a sworn oath to “take a stand” against bullying.

These assemblies began in March and have been held in the Pacific, Newton, Central, Southeast, and Hollenbeck areas with scheduled assemblies in Hollywood and West Valley areas.

http://lapd_blog/

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. LAPD speaks to children and youngsters on how to address harassment of others

LAPD to help young people from intimidation with conferences and lectures taught to tackle this problem by Carlos Avilés La OPINION (translated into English) July 3, 2011 For some time, little Oscar Ortiz, was subjected to an unfortunate reality of life for one in four school-age youth: Another young man greater than he repeatedly tried to intimidate him verbally with nicknames and defiantly. In English this practice is known as "bullying" and for many is a growing problem that affects thousands of young people at some point in their lives.

After Oscar, saw that his teachers did not heed their complaints; their patience ran out one day and decided he would not be a victim of teasing. Using their fists, and fought as though it could cost him a suspension from school, helped him to finally break free of the harassment that tormented him. "I was tired," added the youngster.

His father, who also has the same name, said he did not punish him when he heard what happened, because he understood the reasons. However, to prevent the young student of 11 years to become a boxer in the classroom led him to a seminar this week against this phenomenon, which is being provided by the Police Department of Los Angeles (LAPD) in several communities. I know he did it in self-defense in response to the lack of attention from teachers, "said Ortiz, the father." So I think the education we receive here is so important for us to avoid this problem, "Ortiz said.

According to statistics, one in four young people under 18 years are the subject of this action that occurs when a person or group with more power, whether in physical or social, is often disturbed. People with homosexual tendencies or who belong to ethnic minorities are more likely to be victims. This intimidation occurs mostly in schools or places where youth congregate and for some years, also in a cybernetic, as with the use of text messages on cell phones, or social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace.

Experts have come to associate bullying with the problems of depression, poor school performance and even suicide, or who develop problems of violence, including carrying weapons and killing. A notorious case was that of a young student at the University of Virginia Tech that killed 34 students before killing himself. It was later learned that part of his mental problems were because he was the victim of bullying.

According to Ms. Harmon, a volunteer who makes presentations in communities along with the LAPD, these seminars explain what to do to prevent bullying, and are "crucial" to the emotional well being of thousands of young people in Los Angeles. About 5,000 students have accessed this information with seminars made at Hollenbeck divisions, Central, Southeast, Pacific and Newton. Currently more planned to hold more talks in divisions such as South Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley and El Sereno.

According to the authorities the best way to combat the 'bullying' that is given physical form, is reporting it to someone you trust the authorities and directors. Even if they do not take action on the matter they can go to a police station and in some cases may constitute a violation of their rights. On the Internet, there are sites www.stopbullying.gov or www.bullystoppers.com where you can find valuable information for parents and youth.

For more information on upcoming seminars or talk www.lapdonline.org or visit your nearest station.