Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer is proud to announce that the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office recently has concluded this school year’s presentation programs on bullying, internet safety and the dangers of social media. Prosecutor Billhimer, along with staff from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, spoke to over 11,000 students in Ocean County during the 2024-2025 school year. Between October of 2024 and May of 2025, more than 16 staff members, including assistant prosecutors, detectives, agents, victim-witness advocates and clerical staff, visited 38 schools where we delivered 68 multi-media presentations to students in grade schools, intermediate schools, and high schools throughout the County. Developed by Prosecutor Billhimer, the OCPO Juvenile Unit and the OCPO Hi-Tech Crime Unit, the multi-media presentations include valuable information about the dangers of social media, bullying, cyberbullying and resiliency. The presentations stress the importance of students exercising good judgment in their interaction with one another, online and in school.
Prosecutor Billhimer is also proud to announce that OCPO also offered 13 Challenge Day Programs and one Breaking Down the Walls presentation, all of which were held at high schools throughout Ocean County. Offered to every high school in Ocean County, Challenge Day – sponsored by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office – brought together 100 students, school staff members, and adult volunteers from the community for a full day of exercises and dialogue about bullying, harassment, conflict management, and other important issues effecting students. The Challenge Day Program is designed to unite students, and empower them to carry out the program’s objectives throughout the school year and beyond. Breaking Down the Walls is a similar program.
“We really try to help our schools as much as we can. Getting in there and speaking to kids, meeting them where they are and offering assistance and coping mechanisms is so important. It’s a monumental task and I’m so proud that everyone here in the Office recognizes the importance of talking to these kids and providing critical information regarding a wide variety of topics that are important to them. Anything we can do to help – we will be there. The feedback has been positive, from the students, teachers and administrators – and we are already accepting requests for next year. We hope everyone has a great summer and we will see you again, in your school, in early October,” Prosecutor Billhimer said.