Orlando Takes Steps to Combat False Threats in Schools

Orlando Takes Steps to Combat False Threats in Schools

Orlando, Fla. — The Florida Department of Education is actively working to enhance school safety by addressing the rise in false threats reported throughout the state and across the country. During a meeting held on Wednesday in Orlando, board members discussed the growing concerns regarding these false threats and their impact on the school community.

“These threats and false reports are extremely troublesome and they create unnecessary anxiety for our students, our parents and our employees,” said Orange County Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez. The alarming trend of false reports began at the start of this school year, prompting the board to take immediate action.

Vice Chair Ryan Petty noted that many of these false threats have been reported through FortifyFL, a tool designed for reporting suspicious activities in schools. Petty emphasized the gravity of such threats, stating, “We take threats in Florida very seriously; they will be investigated by law enforcement.” He added that if the threats are found to be false, the students involved could face prosecution, and their parents may also face legal repercussions.

New Training Requirements for Parents

In response to the growing issue, the Commissioner of Education issued a directive in October mandating that every district school board must provide training sessions for parents and guardians. This training is intended to outline the consequences for making threats or false reports through FortifyFL. School districts had until last week to implement these training sessions.

The board took additional steps on Wednesday by voting to ensure that this educational initiative will be available to parents each school year moving forward. Petty explained, “Parents and kids didn’t understand the serious nature of making a threat to a school in Florida, and so this is an effort to educate them on that.” The goal is to improve awareness of how FortifyFL should be used responsibly to enhance school safety.

Law Enforcement Concerns Over Increasing Threats

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood expressed concerns over the dramatic increase in threats, noting that the county has recorded 562 threats this year alone, which is double compared to the previous year. Chitwood revealed that each false threat could result in significant costs, potentially amounting to tens of thousands of dollars in investigative and security overtime expenses.

In light of these challenges, Sheriff Chitwood plans to push for legislative measures aimed at penalizing parents of children who make false threats. He stated, “If they can’t pay it, we’re going to ask that they spend a weekend in jail or two weekends in jail.” Chitwood indicated that the intent behind these measures is to ensure parents take responsibility for their children’s actions and to instill a sense of accountability.

Conclusion

As the school year progresses, the Florida Department of Education aims to strengthen educational initiatives and law enforcement measures to combat the issue of false threats in schools. The increasing number of false reports affects not only school safety but also the emotional well-being of students, parents, and educators in Florida. With ongoing efforts to balance education and enforcement, the goal remains clear: schools must be safe environments for all.