Local

New Florida awareness campaign address school threats made by students

The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice released a new awareness campaign, called It's No Joke. It aims to address school threats made by students in Florida.

According to this state department, the number of threats made against Florida schools has increased each year. In the 2018-2019 fiscal year, 779 youth were charged with school threat-related offenses in Florida, 687 youth charged in the 2017-2018 fiscal year, and 629 youth charged in the 2016-2017 fiscal year.

Action News Jax requested the number of threats made in each local district during the 2018-2019 fiscal year and has not heard back yet.

"We do talk about it all the time, we do," St. Johns County parent Lura Scarpitti said. "And not just from the, ‘Oh my gosh, this happens,' but their questions are why."

Scarpitti said she fears for her child's safety when a threat is made to a local school. She said she is happy with the district's safety procedures, but also activity discusses the issue with her two children.

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"We do everything we can," Scarpitti said. "I want them to live their lives but be aware."

"I think it's good because unfortunately as they grow up, it's not only schools they have to worry about," St. Johns County parent Michael Hill said. "It's happening at malls and movie theaters."

The new campaign plans to educate students and parents about how to detect a threat, either online, through text or verbally. Making threats, even it is in jest, can have serious consequences. In some cases, it can result in a felony charge.

Anyone can report a threat to local law enforcement. A person can make an anonymous report through Florida's FortifyFL mobile app.

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