Volusia County Sheriff’s Public Shaming of Students Sparks Debate Amid Rising School Threats
As school shooting threats surge across the country, Volusia County, Florida, Sheriff Mike Chitwood has taken a controversial approach to addressing the issue by publicly identifying students accused of making these threats. Sheriff Chitwood’s actions, including posting the names and mugshots of juvenile offenders, have sparked praise and criticism as communities grapple with how to address the growing number of threats against schools.
The controversy began when Chitwood posted the mugshot of an 11-year-old boy accused of threatening a school shooting. The arrest video, which showed airsoft rifles, knives, and other weapons the boy allegedly gathered, quickly went viral. Days later, Chitwood posted another video of two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, being led to jail in handcuffs for making similar threats. Chitwood emphasized that he would continue to publicly expose those involved in such threats, stating, “These little knuckleheads think it’s funny? Go talk to the families who have lost a loved one in a school shooting.”
Critics of Chitwood’s approach argue that publicly shaming minors contradicts the intent of the juvenile justice system, which is designed to offer young offenders a second chance. Daniel Mears, a criminology professor at Florida State University, expressed concern over Chitwood’s tactics, stating that juvenile records are typically kept confidential for a reason. He believes public exposure could have long-term consequences for these children. To read more about the sheriff’s controversial strategy, visit AP News.
Despite the criticism, many in the community support Chitwood’s stance, including Max Schachter, whose son was killed in the 2018 Parkland school shooting. Schachter praised the sheriff’s efforts to hold both students and parents accountable, arguing that a culture of complacency has contributed to past tragedies. Chitwood himself has hinted at investigating whether parents of children who make threats can be held financially or criminally liable for their actions.
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The national debate over how to prevent school shootings continues, with some, like Keri Rodrigues of the National Parents Union, advocating for more gun control and mental health support for children. However, Chitwood’s aggressive approach underscores the growing urgency felt by communities to stop threats before they escalate into violence.