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Cake day: June 12th, 2023

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  • And in an unusual step, Sheriff Mike Chitwood of Volusia County, Fla., this week posted pictures and videos of an 11-year-old who was charged in a fake school shooting threat, part of a pledge to take a tough stance on the wave of threats.

    That’s counter productive in a couple of ways

    Not only is this sheriff’s publicity stunt harmful to children, but it also risks fueling contagion around both threats of violence and actual school shootings. It’s also vindictive. At a news conference last Friday, Chitwood said, “Every time we make an arrest, your kid’s photo is going to be put out there and if I can do it, I’m gonna perp walk your kid so that everybody can see what your kid’s up to.”

    This is exactly the kind of law enforcement message that reporters should examine and challenge, rather than mindlessly repeat.