Cyber-bullying is alive and well in Morgan Hill, but police and school officials are working together to put an end to it.
According to Morgan Hill police, two Britton Middle School students this wee reported that they were being bullied by a classmate at school and at home.
The ensuing investigation revealed that the 13-year-olds had been threatened and assaulted at their residence. Police contacted both the victims and the suspect at school, where the suspect was advised by the department’s school resource officer that his behavior would not be tolerated and he was not to contact the victims by any means.
Police, however, learned that the suspect threatened one of the victims in person after school at a recreational skate park just hours after he received the warning from police. The bullying turned high-tech when the suspect allegedly followed up his intimidation with text and Facebook messages to the victims.
The school resource officer contacted the suspect again and the minor suspect was cited for battery, making harassing phone calls, disturbing the peace with offensive words likely to provoke a reaction, and a municipal code violation of discharging an air soft weapon within city limits. Authorities say the student is also facing school disciplinary measures under the California Education Code.
“The outcome of this case exemplifies that the Morgan Hill Police Department recognizes the immediate and long-term damage caused by bullying and will not tolerate this behaviour,” Morgan Hill Police Chief David Swing said.
“I am proud of the swift and decisive actions of our staff that put an end to the student’s victimization. I encourage others who have been bullied by this suspect or by others to report it to a teacher or other responsible adult immediately so they do not have to endure pain from immature and insensitive children.”
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