Florida Parents, Students Face Consequences After $21K Spent on Hoax School Threats

A Florida sheriff has expressed his frustration with parents and students after the Volusia County Sheriff's Office spent nearly $21,000 investigating a series of hoax school threats made on social media within a single day. Sheriff Mike Chitwood addressed the issue at a news conference, describing the situation as "absolutely out of control."

The sheriff stated that 54 threats were reported to the Fortify Florida app in less than 24 hours. This app allows citizens to report suspicious activity to law enforcement. The constant influx of false threats has resulted in significant overtime for investigators, with the total cost of the investigations amounting to $21,000.

Impact on Law Enforcement Resources

The financial burden caused by these hoax threats has raised concerns about the allocation of law enforcement resources. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office and the school district have had to divert their attention and efforts toward investigating these false claims, which could have been directed toward addressing genuine safety concerns.

Consequences for Perpetrators

The sheriff revealed that a 13-year-old student and a 14-year-old student from Heritage Middle School were arrested and charged with making written threats to kill, a felony, after allegedly posting about committing a school shooting on social media platforms TikTok and Instagram. The legal ramifications of such actions highlight the seriousness with which law enforcement is treating these hoax threats.

Parental Responsibility and Accountability

Sheriff Chitwood made it clear that he expects parents to take responsibility for their children's actions. He emphasized that if law enforcement apprehends a child for making a hoax threat, the parents will face the consequences as well. This includes the public disclosure of the child's identity and potentially even the parents being held accountable. The sheriff's comments reflect a desire to hold parents accountable for their children's behavior, particularly when it comes to making light of school violence.

Impact on School Safety

The sheriff's concerns over the impact of these hoax threats on genuine safety issues are valid. The fear and disruption caused by the mere possibility of a school shooting can have profound effects on students, teachers, and parents. Law enforcement resources being tied up in investigating false threats divert attention from potential real threats, which could have severe repercussions on school safety protocols and emergency response preparedness.

Response from the Community

Parents, educators, and community members have expressed their support for Sheriff Chitwood's stance on holding perpetrators and their parents accountable for making hoax threats. Many believe that such actions undermine the seriousness of genuine threats and create a climate of fear and anxiety within schools.