Experts criticize Michael Chitwood’s ‘shaming’ tactic of uploading videos and mugshot of teens to deter gun crime

A Florida sheriff’s novel approach to countering school shooting threats by exposing online the identities of children who make them is drawing ire from juvenile justice advocates as well as others who say the tactic is counterproductive and morally wrong.

Michael Chitwood, sheriff of Volusia county, raised eyebrows recently by posting to his Facebook page the name and mugshot of an 11-year-old boy accused of calling in a threat to a local middle school. He followed up with a video clip of the minor’s “perp walk” into jail in shackles.

Chitwood, who has said he is “fed up” with the disruption to schools caused by the hoaxes, has promised to publicly identify any student who makes such a threat. On Wednesday, another video appeared onlineshowing two youths, aged 16 and 17, in handcuffs being led into separate cells, with the sheriff calling them “knuckleheads”.

  • Stern@lemmy.world
    1·
    1 month ago

    Even if he did it, we have no idea whether it was serious

    So we shouldn’t take threats of shootings or bomb threats seriously now?

    Wow. Just… wow.

    • AA5B@lemmy.world
      11·
      1 month ago

      You’re losing the plot here. The question is whether it’s ok to publicly post the identities of kids accused of a specific crime

          • Stern@lemmy.world
            2·
            1 month ago

            The title of this thread isn’t

            Even if he did it, we have no idea whether it was serious

            Thats a point you made, and are now refusing to address. Twice now.

            • AA5B@lemmy.world
              1·
              1 month ago

              Does the article state that he was convicted of a serious threat and prove any sort of planning toward implementation?

              • being accused is different from being found guilty
              • being found guilty of a threat is different from being found guilty of a threat and attempting to carry it out
              • being found guilty and facing legal consequences is different from being publicly named for doing so
              • he’s an effing kid
              • Stern@lemmy.world
                1·
                1 month ago

                Does the article state that he was convicted of a serious threat and prove any sort of planning toward implementation?

                It states he was arrested under allegations of it and multiple weapons were found. Pretty damn good indicator. To remind you: If the Appalachee guy (whos actions prompted the numerous threats the cop was following up on) had gotten arrested in a similar way multiple people would still be alive right now.

                being accused is different from being found guilty

                Your point?

                being found guilty of a threat is different from being found guilty of a threat and attempting to carry it out

                So you agree we should get them for threats or threats with follow through. Glad to hear you’ve conceded the argument.

                being found guilty and facing legal consequences is different from being publicly named for doing so

                Ok, and?

                he’s an effing kid

                So were the Columbine guys. Apparently being underage doesn’t stop someone from shooting up a school. I can pull up more underage shooters, I’m sure you can too. The, “Oh its a kid” thing doesn’t hold water.