A Florida sheriff has expressed frustration after his agency spent nearly $21,000 investigating numerous hoax school threats posted on social media within a day. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, in a news conference with Volusia Public Schools officials, described the situation as 'absolutely out of control.'
Chitwood revealed that 54 threats were reported through the Fortify Florida app, prompting non-stop investigations by school district investigators. All the reported threats turned out to be false, leading to the significant cost incurred for these investigations.
Two students, aged 13 and 14, from Heritage Middle School were arrested and charged with making written threats to kill after allegedly posting about a school shooting on TikTok and Instagram. A potential third suspect is currently under investigation.
Sheriff Chitwood issued a stern warning to parents, stating that law enforcement will take action against parents of children who make false school violence threats. He emphasized that parents need to take responsibility for their children's actions, or face public consequences.
Chitwood emphasized the seriousness of the issue, highlighting the impact of school violence on families who have lost loved ones in such incidents. He condemned the behavior of those making hoax threats, urging them to consider the real-life consequences of their actions.
The sheriff's office is actively working to address the issue of hoax threats and ensure the safety of students and staff in Volusia County schools. Chitwood's strong stance serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in preventing such incidents.
