An increase in school shooting threats across the country has officials going to new lengths to try to stop the problem. Volusia County, Florida Sheriff Mike Chitwood was so fed up with the threats, he decided to publicly identify the students behind them on social media.
He started by posting the mug shot of an 11-year-old who wrote a list of targets and a photo of the airsoft rifles, pistols, fake ammunition, knives and swords the boy was showing off to other students.
The boy claimed it was all a joke.
Chitwood also vowed to post perp walks of the kids making the threats. He called out parents saying, “You don’t want to raise your kids … Sheriff Chitwood is going to raise them.”
Chitwood’s tactic is getting some mixed reactions in the comments on his social media posts.
One person said, “This is exactly what has to be done for things to change. Great job Sheriff.”
Another person commented, “I feel conflicted about sharing a juvenile’s name and photo as if you (Sheriff) are judge and jury.”
Florida officials have made multiple safety improvements and policy shifts since the school shooting in Parkland six years ago.
In 2019, Republican lawmakers cleared the way for schools in Florida to arm employees, including teachers. Those against arming teachers say it’s time to implement gun safety legislation.
As shooting threats pour across the country, more and more schools are installing metal detectors. The majority of the threats have ended up being hoaxes.
