The announcement comes on the cusp of October being Bullying Prevention Awareness Month.

“A lot of it doesn't get reported,” Chief Mark Macon said this afternoon, “but it goes on. Kids use verbal abuse and some are abused physically.”

In working with the Weldon PTA last year, Macon said the main form of bullying in the elementary and middle school levels is bullies taunting other children. “Some identify differences in the way other children might act or look. With other kids we're dealing with cyber bullying.”

The school system, Macon said, is doing a good job on staying on top of the bullying matter.

In October, the police department has two agendas on the bullying issue — one is to work with school administrators and the other is talk to students in a program at the library, although a date has not been set for the library session.

The focus with school administrators to help make them aware of bullying in the classroom and busses, Macon said. “We prevent it by teaching the teachers and staff to identify it and to get students to report it. If there are signs of someone being a victim or if they feel they are being victimized, they need to tell someone.”

In a statement, the police department said, “The Bully Proof Your School program is an essential tool to improve school climate, address bystander and bullying behavior and create caring school communities.” Numerous studies report that many children across the nation are fearful in their schools and in their neighborhoods.

This fear is not only due to the more extreme forms of school violence that have been reported in the media, but to the high incidence of bullying and harassment that takes place daily in U.S. schools. Bully Proofing Your School is a nationally recognized school safety program, with a scientifically proven track record since its inception in 1992. There will be continued educational and awareness programs on bullying shared within the community beyond the awareness month of October. Subsequently, there will be follow-up safety tips shared in the news media during the month of October. The National Bullying Prevention Center is observing Wednesday October 9 as Unity Day 2013.

“The end of bullying begins with you,” the police department said in the statement. “This is a day that everyone can link together – in schools, communities and online and send one large, orange — the color associated with bullying awareness — message of support to students who have experienced bullying. Together we can stop bullying in its tracks.”

Some of the suggested activities for Unity Day include the following:

Wear the color orange

Update Facebook and other social media statuses to reflect Unity Day

Attend online events marking the day

Post pictures of yourself and friends wearing orange