Florida Sheriff Issues Stern Warning Against School Threats

Volusia County, FL - As school threats continue to rise across the state, one Florida sheriff has taken a firm stance against the dangerous behavior.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood delivered a powerful message to students and parents, warning them of the severe consequences for making school threats.

"This is absolutely out of control and it ends now," Chitwood declared during a press conference covered by WPLG Local 10 News .

"If parents don't want to raise their kids, I'm going to start raising them."

Chitwood emphasized the seriousness of the issue, stating that his office has received 207 tips about school threats this school year alone.

In South Florida, Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony and Broward Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn announced the arrest of nine students for posting online threats.

The threats, while ultimately fake, cause significant disruption and fear within the school community and can lead to serious legal repercussions.

Florida strengthened its penalties for making threats in 2018, making it easier to charge offenders with felonies.

Sheriff Chitwood urged students to think about the impact of their actions.

"Go talk to the families who have lost a loved one in a school shooting," he said. "These little knuckleheads think it's funny, go talk to those parents."

The recent arrests in Broward County highlight the need for increased awareness and prevention efforts.

All of the arrested students were between the ages of 11 and 14, and all of the threats were made online or through text messages.