An alarming number of school shooting threats have prompted lock downs and lead to confusion and heightened fears across Central Florida.
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Now, law enforcement and school officials are promising maximum consequences amid a spike in unfounded threats.
In just the last week, more than 8 students across Central Florida have been arrested for either threatening a school shooting or bringing a gun onto school property.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said since the school year began, the office has received more than 200 school shooting threats, but none of those threats were credible.
Still, all threats are taken seriously, and each threat causes a disruption that uses up law enforcement resources.
To deal with the spike in threats, Sheriff Chitwood said beginning on Monday, he plans to “publicly shame” students who make unfounded threats, and their parents.
“I’m going to show you every kid that’s been arrested and where they go to school, and then from there on out, we’re going to publicly shame them and their parents. So parents, do your job. Don’t let Sheriff Chitwood raise your kids,” said Chitwood during a press conference Friday.