“I would say we’re right at a crisis stage,”
Schools across South Florida are dealing with a mass surge in threats of violence at schools from Indian River to Palm Beach County, & investigations into threats at 7 different schools took place in just over 48 hours.
2 of these threats led to the arrest of a student—an 11-year-old girl who had threatened to shoot up Southern Oaks Middle School.
These threats were posted on social media platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp.
“I feel safe at our school.” Said Leo Wise, a senior. “But there is always a risk.”
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said his office has received 207 threats to schools already this school year.
This includes schools in districts around Florida including in Seminole, Broward, Duval, Madison, Leon, Taylor, Levy, Columbia, and Sarasota counties.
In Broward, 9 students, ages 11 to 15, have been arrested for making threats against schools since the 2024-2025 school year began.
An 11-year-old boy reported a false bomb threat on September 4 at Somerset Academy Key Middle/High School in Deerfield Beach.
A 13-year-old boy used Snapchat to post a threat on August 10 against BCPS offices in Fort Lauderdale because he was upset over the new student cell phone policy.
A girl used Snapchat to post a threat on Aug. 15 against Cooper City High School that was intended as a joke.
And many more.
Broward Sheriff’s Department said that several students claimed their posts were jokes.
These aren’t jokes, however.
In Florida, making threats of violence on social media platforms is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison, up to 15 years of probation, and a $10,000 fine, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
“Kids don’t realize the gravity of their actions,” said Mrs. LaChance, a teacher at Coral Glades High School.
The seven students arrested will face charges of written threats to kill and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
“If you cross the line, and you violate the law— we’re going to charge you. We don’t negotiate this. You’re going to get arrested,” Martin County Sheriff William Snyder told WPTV.
Call the District Security Operations Center at (754) 321-3500, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or Text: Text SBBC with a tip to 274637 (CRIMES)
You can also submit an anonymous tip through Broward Crime Stoppers or browardcrimestoppers.org. You can also call at 954-493-8477(TIPS). No phone tracking software or Caller ID is used. If your tip leads to an arrest, you can receive your reward anonymously. Rewards are collected anonymously at a local bank, so your identity is not compromised.
