Left to right: Senior Assistant Prosecutor Bulent “Billy” Can, Detective Anthony
Latoracca, Assistant Prosecutor Jessica Petrella, Assistant Prosecutor Jessica Kalafut, GWMS
Counselor Jackie Molina, School Resource Officer Kristen Mikolajczyk, Principal Jack Leonard,
and Township of Wayne Detective Henry Ellis
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announces that the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office (PCPO) Bias Crime Legal and Investigative Team conducted educational presentations today at George Washington Middle School in Wayne on the topics of Bias and Bullying. The goal of the presentations was to educate students about Bias by providing real-life practical examples to empower students to make better decisions.
The presentations, led by Senior Assistant Prosecutor Billy Can, Assistant Prosecutor Jessica Kalafut and Assistant Prosecutor Jessica Petrella, were geared toward sixth and seventh grade students with a second session dedicated to the eighth-grade students attending the Middle School. The students were taught the difference between a Bias Incident and a Bias Crime with an interactive discussion about the ramifications of targeting a person of a protected class, based in part, upon their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and/or disability.
The Bias Legal Team explained that actions by a student directed at a classmate from a protected class would not only be investigated by the school but would also be reported to the PCPO Bias Unit and could subject a student to criminal consequences. The Bias Legal Team focused on the impact of social media on students, explaining that even though certain questionable statements/comments are conveyed on a virtual platform and heard by a large audience does not preclude them from being considered Bias, nor should a student believe that repeating those words or actions would insulate them from possible repercussions.
Students were encouraged to report any incidences of suspected Bias to a school official or another trusted adult and, most significantly, reminded to trust their instincts if they believe a certain event may be considered Bias. Students were further advised that reports of suspected Bias or Bullying could also be reported anonymously to a teacher and then reviewed, with possible involvement of the PCPO. Also present during the discussions were Township of Wayne Police Detective Sergeant Henry Ellis and School Resource Officer Kristen Mikolajczyk.
For more information about having PCPO conduct a Bias Presentation at your school, please email Executive First Assistant Gina Pfund at gpfund@passaiccountynj.org.