Sen. Klein Launches Cyberbully Education Tour

Organizes Three Events To Educate Parents, Teachers and Students

THROGGS NECK & SOUNDVIEW, BRONX, N.Y. – Senator Jeffrey D. Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) announced today he would be launching three separate workshops to educate his constituents about the dangers of cyberbullying. Joining him at these events will be Assemblyman Marcos Crespo (D-Bronx), Former Miss New York Kaitlin Monte,  Cybercrime and legal expert  Parry Aftab, and Bronx Community Board #10.  The Senator has already introduced legislation (S.6132) in the Senate earlier this year to update New York's stalking and harassment laws to cover electronic bullying.

The legislation would include updating the crime of Third Degree Stalking to include bullying of a youth by electronic communications, add electronic communications to the means of which to commit the crime of Aggravated Harassment, and modernize the crime of First Degree Criminal Impersonation to include electronic communications.

In addition to introducing the legislation, the Senator has in conjunction with his colleagues in the Independent Democratic Conference (www.nycyberbullycensus.com) to gather more information directly from youths throughout New York State to get more information on how prevalent this crisis has become.

“I look forward to these workshops and communicating directly with my constituents on this growing epidemic” said Senator Klein “Our children are our most precious resource and we need to do everything we can to make sure they are in a safe and nurturing environment. We also need to teach them that this type of reckless and potentially deadly behavior will not be tolerated.” 

"These events will be a great opportunity for us as legislators to discuss the issue of cyber bullying  with educators, parents, and our youth, who are increasingly confronting an array of dangerous and life threatening situations resulting from cyber bullying. I look forward to working with Senator Klein and other partners in educating our community about this dangerous social ill and respond with proposals that aim to eradicate the problem." said Assemblyman Marcos Crespo.

“The Board is gratified to note that Senator Klein has taken the initiative to establish a dialogue on the negative effects that cyber bully is having on our society” said Kenneth Kearns, District Manager of Community Board #10.

The workshops will be held:

·         Thursday April 19^th at 5:30pm at Fort Schuyler House, 3077 Cross Bronx Expressway, Bronx New York, 10465 with Bronx Community Board #10

·         Friday April 20^th at 8:30am at Archimedes Academy for Math, Science and Technology Applications, 456 WHITE PLAINS ROAD, Bronx, NY 10473 with Assemblyman Crespo.

·         Friday April 20^th at 10:00am at The Bronx Mathematics Preparatory School, 456 WHITE PLAINS ROAD, Bronx, NY 10473 with Assemblyman Crespo.

Those interested in learning more about cyberbullying and the Senator’s legislation are encouraged to contact his office at(718) 822-2049 or email jdklein@nysenate.gov.