Bullying Addressed at Ooltewah Elementary School

Deputy Frankie Bates with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, says, "Back in the day when we didn’t have all this technology, the only way you could really bully someone is if you were in their presence."

But that’s not the case anymore, according to Bates.

He says text messages and social media sites are making it way too easy to bully one another.

And he says it all could lead to a more serious issue; gang violence.

Bates adds, "I believe 88 percent of bullies graduate to that area if we don’t put a stop to it."

That’s why Bates is at Ooltewah Elementary School, to shut it down before it leads to a tragic ending like that of a 12-year-old girl from Florida.

Last month Rebecca Sedwick jumped off a tower all because she was bullied.

Principal Tom Arnold at Ooltewah Elementary School, says, "It’s a proactive measure.  Actually, I had some parents request to see if we could put on a bullying prevention program assembly to address it to all our students."

Community leaders say maybe it will take an authority figure with an authoritative voice to get the message across.