SCHOOL THREATS INCREASING

The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice said the number of school-related threats has steadily increased over the last three years. In 2016-2017, 629 Florida youths were charged with school threat-related offenses, 687 in 2017-2018, and 779 in 2018-2019. A new public awareness campaign Tuesday called, “It’s No Joke”, is aimed at addressing school threats made by students in Florida. They include making false reports about bombs, explosives, or firearms, and possessing or discharging weapons or firearms on school property or at a school-sponsored event. The campaign seeks to educate youth and parents that even threats made online, including social media and gaming sites, can lead to a youth being charged with a felony.