St. Bernard's community received an offer from the Sheriff’s Office, along with Homeland Security Investigations, to join a free internet safety program aimed at shielding children from online risks. Dubbed Project iGuardian, this initiative held its presentation yesterday, at Nunez Community College, tailored specifically for parents, guardians and adults residing in the area, according to SBSO's reporting.
The program featured Sheriff James Pohlmann advocating for community involvement. With the presentation addressing serious topics such as the tactics of online predators and the burgeoning crime of sextortion, Lt. Michelle Canepa – the sheriff's office school liaison investigator and a seasoned law enforcement officer with nearly 21 years under her belt – was among the speakers. Her experience includes addressing incidents in schools, forging positive student relations, and spearheading parent and staff education efforts regarding safety.
Project iGuardian, a brainchild of HSI, is a national spearhead aiming to inform and protect children from the dangers lurking within our digital landscape. The presentation's agenda included an overview of privacy risks posed by digital devices, the proliferation of emerging apps, online games, and social media platforms that might open backdoors to predatory behavior.
Attendees of the event at Nunez Community College's STUDENT TESTING AND CAREER COUNSELING CENTER, situated near the intersection of Paris and West Liberaux Street, were treated to real-life examples pulled from local investigations. This was part of a critical strategy to impart understanding and equip guardians with actionable knowledge to shield their offspring in the internet's murky waters.
Although registering for the event was suggested, walk-ins were welcomed, facilitating broader participation from concerned local adults.
