JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On the heels of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announcing dozens of arrests over the last three months, News4JAX spoke with a psychologist about what is being done to curb the behavior.
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“Parents need to get involved and make sure they know what activities on social media their kids are involved in, and whether their child has a proclivity or not for making a false or real threat,” said Dr. Justin D’Arienzo.
D’Arienzo said with the recent arrests, the work to prevent future threats is at home.
“Tonight, talk to your child and pick up their phone, see what they’re seeing, what they’ve been communicating with their friends, but make sure you have the conversation with them about the consequences of making false threats,” D’Arienzo said.
JSO posted a video on X last week showing multiple teenagers being detained, cuffed and read their Miranda rights for allegedly making school threats.
Police said that between the sheriff’s office and Duval County School Police, in the past three months, 38 people have been arrested— not just talked to, or given a talk, but arrested.
“If they make false allegations, in Florida, you will be arrested, even if you’re a minor and you’re making false allegations,” D’Arienzo said.
It is not just a Duval County issue.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office has also posted recently at least two arrests of students accused of making threats. One is a 13-year-old, the other an 11-year-old.
“I mean, 11 and 13, they don’t even know really what they’re doing,” said D’Arienzo.
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D’Arienzo is trying to help them.
On Nov. 8, the Florida Psychological Association and the US Secret Service are holding a virtual seminar for parents, teachers, mental health professionals and school administration, on the dangers of school threats and how to spot the behavior well ahead of time.
“They make rash, ridiculous, impulsive, short-term related decisions, and they don’t understand consequences of their behavior. They don’t understand long-term consequences. It is important that parents communicate with their kids, so they understand what the consequences are,” D’Arienzo said.