On November 25, 2023, a deeply troubling incident occurred at Garth Road park involving four Eastchester Middle School (EMS) students. A EMS student was physically assaulted while repeatedly called a racial slur. When the matter was reported to the authorities, both the Eastchester police and EMS principal claimed it was outside their jurisdiction as it involved minors without witnesses or evidence and happened off campus, respectively. This highlights an alarming gap in our current school district and police policy that allows bullying incidents to fall through the cracks based on location.

We are calling for a change from this siloed approach of on-campus versus off-campus investigations and disciplinary action to one that is collaborative, involving both the school district and police department. It is essential that where bullying occurs should not impede justice or disciplinary action. 

This new policy should also make public the educational, supportive, and disciplinary consequences of bullying/assault within a urgent timeframe (i.e. 2 weeks from the reported incident). Transparency in these matters will serve as a deterrent for potential bullies while providing timely reassurance to victims that their concerns are being addressed seriously.

Almost one out of every four students (22%) report being bullied during the school year (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2015). A meta-analysis concluded that children who are bullied were at least twice as likely to have psychosomatic disturbances than nonbullied children (Gini and Pozzoli, 2013).  With these statistics in mind, it's clear we need policies that  ensure thorough investigation and disciplinary action regardless of where incidents occur.

For our children's safety and well-being within Eastchester Union Free School District- whether they're at school or off campus - we must demand better from our institutions. Please sign this petition urging collaborative investigation and disciplinary procedures between our schools and law enforcement agencies and provide public transparency, to the extent of the law, when dealing with cases of student bullying.