Florida Sheriff Outraged by String of Hoax School Threats, Blasts Parents

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood decried "bogus" school violence threats that cost $21,000 to investigate, threatening to "raise" children of those responsible and publicly shame them.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood has unleashed a blistering tirade against parents and students responsible for a barrage of hoax school threats that have drained law enforcement resources and sowed fear within the community.

Speaking at a news conference alongside Volusia Public Schools officials, Chitwood denounced the "absolutely out of control" situation, revealing that his agency had spent nearly $21,000 investigating 54 threats reported to the Fortify Florida app in less than 24 hours.

Florida Sheriff Outraged by String of Hoax School Threats, Blasts Parents

"That means investigators in the school district have been running around the clock to investigate these tips, which are all turning out to be false," Chitwood said. "So far, it's cost $21,000 to do these investigations."

The sheriff's outrage was palpable as he described the malicious actions of those behind the false threats. "Go talk to the families who have lost a loved one in a school shooting," he challenged. "These little knuckleheads think it's funny. Go talk to those parents and see how funny this is. It's not."

Florida Sheriff Outraged by String of Hoax School Threats, Blasts Parents

Chitwood directed his fury at parents, vowing to "come after" those whose children engage in such reckless behavior. "Parents, you don't want to raise your kids, I'm going to start raising them," he said. "Every time we make an arrest, your kid's photo is going to be put out there. And if I could do it, I'm going to perp-walk your kid so that everybody can see what your kid's up to."

The sheriff's remarks come on the heels of a fatal school shooting near Atlanta that claimed the lives of four students and teachers. The tragedy has heightened concerns about school safety and the need to address the issue of hoax threats.

Florida Sheriff Outraged by String of Hoax School Threats, Blasts Parents

Chitwood's stance is not without precedent. In recent years, several other law enforcement officials have expressed frustration with the proliferation of hoax school threats. In 2018, the U.S. Department of Education released a report highlighting the increasing frequency of such incidents and the substantial resources required to investigate them.

Critics argue that the sheriff's approach is overly punitive and could alienate students and parents. They caution that public shaming and threats of prosecution may stifle open communication and deter individuals from reporting genuine threats out of fear of reprisal.

However, Chitwood maintains that his stance is necessary to deter future hoax threats and protect the safety of students and staff. "We've got to do something to make sure our kids are safe in school," he said. "If we're not going to make sure our kids are safe, then who's going to?"

The sheriff's office declined to provide further details about the costs associated with the investigations, stating that the information was not readily available. The two students arrested and charged in connection with the threats at Heritage Middle School face felony charges. A possible third suspect remains under investigation.

Meanwhile, school officials are urging parents to have open and honest conversations with their children about the consequences of making false threats and the importance of responsible social media use. They emphasize that the safety and well-being of all students is their highest priority.