Making false threats is a crime, and in the past year, deputies say they have arrested between four and six students for making false threats
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office has been working to address the growing challenge of school threats.
Over the past year, the sheriff’s office has made several arrests, but its mission extends beyond enforcement. It’s about building relationships with students to ensure their safety, the agency said.
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Lt. James Kennedy starts his day early, aligning his schedule with students.
“My day pretty much starts off at about, you know, 6:45,” he said, emphasizing the importance of engaging with students from a young age. “Those K through five guys are building the foundation.”
Sgt. Kyle Cubbedge explained the comprehensive surveillance system in place.
“Anytime school’s in session, we have fully staffed analysts here,” he said.
The sheriff’s office utilizes thousands of cameras across the St. Johns County School District. For privacy and safety reasons, the footage was blurred during our visit.
A key tool in their arsenal is Centegix, a high-tech system that equips teachers with lanyards that function like a life alert button for school safety. It can point officers directly to where the teachers are.
“It does happen, many of them are accidental, but we have had some situations regarding, you know, fights or other scenarios,” Sgt. Cubbedge said.
Training is a critical component of the deputies’ work. In Oct. 2023, their preparedness paid off when three students were arrested for allegedly planning a violent attack. The Real-Time Intelligence Center and strong relationships with students were instrumental in preventing the incident.
“It took one student to stand up and say something,” Lt. Kennedy said.
Despite receiving numerous tips, most of which are hoaxes, deputies take each one seriously. Making false threats is a crime, and in the past year, deputies say they have arrested between four and six students for making false threats.
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The News4JAX I-TEAM also investigated other counties’ responses to threats.
In Duval County, 334 threats were assessed during the 2023-2024 school year, resulting in seven arrests. This school year, 193 threats have been assessed, leading to 16 arrests.
Sheriff T.K. Waters of Jacksonville emphasized the seriousness of the issue.
“Do not under any circumstance, in any school, charter school, online make a threat to shoot up our school,” he said at a press conference in early 2025.
Clay County has also dealt with numerous threats, with five arrests made this school year.
Statewide, the issue persists.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood has taken a firm stance, making examples of students who make threats on social media.
Lt. Kennedy stresses the importance of accountability, even when threats are hoaxes.
“All they really did was they took resources away from the normal citizens,” he said.
For deputies, the mission is not just about safety, it’s about connection. Building trust with students and families is crucial.
“Communication is key with the kids, with the staff at the school, and the parents involved,” Lt. Kennedy explained. The Fortify Florida app allows the public to report suspicious behavior, ensuring that all tips are vetted and taken seriously.
In their high-tech monitoring room, deputies remain vigilant, but community involvement is vital.
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