In a bold move to combat the rising concern of school shooting threats, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood has ignited a controversial practice of publicly releasing mug shots and names of students arrested for making such threats. The sheriff's office recently made good on this promise by sharing a mug shot and "perp walk" video of an 11-year-old student who was apprehended for allegedly creating a written list of names and targets at a Port Orange middle school.

While the student claimed that it was just a joke, law enforcement took the threat seriously. Investigating further, the sheriff's office recovered a cache of airsoft rifles, pistols, fake ammunition, knives, and swords, all of which the student had showcased in a video to others. This discovery added weight to the seriousness of the situation, prompting the decision to publicly share the images of the accused student.

Sheriff Chitwood, known for his direct and outspoken nature, warned parents beforehand that their children's actions would have consequences. "For you parents out there, today's hoax cost around $21,000," stated Chitwood. "We're coming after you, and starting Monday, we're going to start publishing [your child's] face and doing perp walks with him when we take him into custody. Then we're going to show pictures of you, the parents."

The controversial practice of posting mug shots and "perp walks" aims to serve as a deterrent in the community, urging both parents and students to take school shooting threats seriously. Sheriff Chitwood believes that by exposing the consequences of such actions, parents will have a stronger incentive to monitor their children's behavior closely.

This move comes amid a growing concern over school safety. Last week, two other students, aged 13 and 14, were also arrested for making similar threats in Volusia County. Sheriff Chitwood's stance is clear - he can and will release the names and photos of juveniles committing these felonies, disrupting school environments, and exhausting law enforcement resources.

While this practice has garnered both support and opposition, with some arguing that it violates the privacy and dignity of minors, Sheriff Chitwood remains unwavering in his determination to protect the community and prevent future incidents.

As the debate surrounding this practice continues, it remains to be seen whether other law enforcement agencies will follow suit or opt for alternative measures to address the growing concern of school shooting threats.