Cyber-Bullying Forum Proves Unexpectedly Provocative

A presentation at Irvington High School on cyber-bullying was the locus of two complaints to police this week. The event, organized by the PTA and other groups, was a forum by a nationally-known cyber-bullying expert.

First, Irvington police said a village resident called them them before the event to say she was concerned about several emails the expert had received from another village resident.

Police responded first to the home of the caller and then later to the home of the resident who had sent the emails.

"There was no crime committed and no further police action taken," said Sgt. Michael Foley. "We were only there to clarify the circumstances of the situation."

Second, Foley said, more than one resident told police they were troubled by the presence of a police officer at the forum itself. The complainants said it appeared as if the village was “policing” the event.

"There was a youth officer who was there purely as an attendee," Foley said. "He was interested in the content of the presentation as it relates directly to his work."

Police did not describe the content of the emails. They do not expect to take any further action regarding either of the two complaints.

Editor's note: This article was revised for clarity.