Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood drew international attention this week when he perp-walked an 11-year-old accused of threatening shootings at two schools and keeping a "hit list," which he told investigators was a “joke.”
His actions drew some mixed reviews from around the globe , but his hardcore Florida fan base has mostly stuck by him, according to a survey of a social media outburst on the sheriff's office's Facebook page. While some found the video of a pre-teen getting his ankles chained together disturbing, many felt the kid deserved it.
“Great job keeping our schools and children safe. If he’s old enough to make these kinds of threats then he’s old enough to be held accountable!” wrote Trinka Strickland from Cocoa.
Chitwood has more than 102,000 Facebook followers. As of this writing, the post has gotten nearly 2,000 comments and way over 5,000 shares. The video post had 507 comments and 691 shares.
The post showing the child’s photo and the assortment of airsoft guns, knives, swords and throwing stars received 2,900 comments as of Wednesday morning. It has been shared on social media more than 13,000 times.
Days before the boy's arrest, Chitwood vowed to post images and perp-walk juveniles who threatened schools, saying in part at a press conference, "I can and will release the names and photos of the juveniles who are committing these felonies, threatening our students, disrupting our schools, and consuming law enforcement resources."
What's a perp walk?
In the video, the 11-year-old boy, with his hands cuffed behind his back, is released from the backseat of a deputy's vehicle and led into a building. Once inside, his ankles were shackled with a chain long enough to allow him to walk. His hands were then cuffed in front of him with the cuffs linked to a belt. He was placed in a large wire cage, still handcuffed and still shackled at the feet. A man told him he was going to start some paperwork and asked the boy if he had any questions. The child responded “No sir.”
One poster from Edgewater wrote: "Great job sheriff!!!” Another urged him to run for president. Others even urged the sheriff to go further by posting photos of the parents online. Chitwood had said he would perp-walk the parents as well if he learned they knew a child was up to no good and did nothing to stop him or her.
“Parents photos should be posted as well,” wrote Michael Matassa of Ormond Beach.
“Great job guys, their age doesn’t matter! (Expletive) like this can’t be tolerated on any level at all, it’s nothing to joke about & ain't funny…” wrote Brian Murray, whose profile did not indicate a hometown.
'We all have the right to a fair trial'
But a few people had reservations, mostly folks who weren't local.
“I feel conflicted about sharing a juvenile’s name and photo as if you (Sheriff) are judge and jury. We all have the right to a fair trial. The video seems like you’re fishing for a viral vigilante title," wrote Danielle Jacobs, who appears to live or have close connections to Dubuque, Iowa. She said he is "probably putting this entire family in danger.”
“I’m grateful for our police, I just don’t think this part is needed…. But only time will tell,” wrote Jazzmil Torres from Atlantic City, New Jersey, as part of a longer post responding to Jacobs.
Children 'must be held accountable'
Chitwood also posted the child’s photo and perp walk on his Instagram account.
“I’m very much in favor of this and support it 100%, so WHY DO I FEEL SO SAD after watching it? (sad face emoji)” wrote delaynerooks on Instagram.
“Are the parents getting charged and locked up as well? They MUST be held accountable!!” posted russelldrake who listed Orlando and Gary, Indiana, in his Instagram profile.
Across the pond at the Daily Mail in London, most posts supported the sheriff.
“They’re not only protecting the would-be victims but the boy himself as well — if he’d act out on this ‘joke’ his life would be over one way or another,” wrote Shoded.
“It’s about time, showing these kids their words have consequences. You can’t just say what you want & get a time out for it,” wrote autumn.clermonts.9, who also posted five emojis of clapping hands and four of the United States flag.
Another Daily Mail poster, teacherlucass, wrote on Instagram that law enforcement could "teach him a lesson without cameras.”
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: The social media verdict is in! Sheriff Mike Chitwood's plan to shame kids draws support.
Local News
