Video Introduction
Transcript of Video
Hello, I’m Diane Kornegay, Superintendent of Lake County Schools.
School safety and security remains a top priority here in Lake County Schools, and every day we work tirelessly to keep our students and our staff safe.
Over the past several weeks, Florida school districts have experienced a concerning trend involving the false reporting of school threats on social media and anonymous reporting lines.
Threatening a school is not a joke or a prank, it is a felony. So is submitting false reports on recorded tip lines such as Fortify Florida and Speak Out.
These acts are not only reckless, but they impede resources that are needed for actual emergencies and they carry serious legal consequences.
Students are being arrested and charged with second degree felonies.
I don’t want to see this happen to any of our students, and I know you don’t either. All students have received appropriate instruction on how to report suspicious activity using Speak Out and Fortify Florida.
That instruction included information on the consequences for making threats and false reports involving schools.
We want parents and guardians to be aware as well.
In fact, the state is requiring districts to share this information and make sure you understand that all threats will be taken seriously and they will result in serious consequences up to and including arrest, restitution, and expulsion.
I’ve invited the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to help reinforce this message.
Hi, I’m Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell.
Florida Statute 836-10 says that written or electronic threats to kill, do bodily harm, or commit a mass shooting is a second degree felony.
That means if a student posts a threat on social media, writes a threatening message on a desk or a wall, or if they call on a false report about a threat, they could find themselves in jail for a very long time.
Those of us in law enforcement are going to use every resource at our disposal to make sure people who make threats against schools are brought to justice.
Even if you have no real intent to do harm, if you make the threat, we are going to assume it’s real and we are going to respond accordingly.
Threats won’t be tolerated, so don’t make them, it’s just not worth it.
Parents, please share this message with your student and make sure they understand that false threats, even if they are intended as a joke, can result in life-altering consequences.
Let’s all work together to continue to keep our campuses safe.
FortifyFL Parent/Guardian Training
What is FortifyFL?
- FortifyFL is an anonymous reporting app that enables students, parents, and community members to instantly relay information anonymously about suspicious activity.
- Tips about potential crimes or threats are sent directly to law enforcement and designated school personnel.
- The FortifyFL app was funded by the Florida Legislature as part of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.
FortifyFL is advertised, installed and bookmarked
- School districts and charter schools are required to advertise FortifyFL on their websites, on school campuses, in newsletters, and school publications.
- Install the FortifyFL app on all mobile devices issued to students.
- Bookmark the FortifyFL website on all computer devices issued to students.
- Students must receive training on using FortifyFL.
Submitting a FortifyFL tip is easy
- Submitting a tip is quick and easy with the FortifyFL mobile app or website.
- By accessing the app, students and others can describe the threat, share photos and videos, and optionally submit their contact information.
- Submissions can be anonymous or nonanonymous.
Learn how to use the FortifyFL app
- The FortifyFL app can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.
- Or go to getfortifyfl.com to access the app and learn how quick and easy it is to use.
What to report on FortifyFL?
Submit tips about potential crimes or threats. The information will be sent directly to law enforcement and designated school personnel.
- More tip details improve the chances that a situation can be resolved.
- This means including WHO did what, WHERE it happened, and WHEN.
FortifyFL reporters can remain anonymous
Anyone submitting a tip about a threat or a known false report can *identify themselves or choose to remain anonymous.
*If you identify yourself when submitting a tip, your identity will remain confidential.
What parents need to know
- Purpose of FortifyFL: The app is used to anonymously report suspicious activities to law enforcement and school personnel.
- Student and parent education: Schools are providing training for students and parents to understand the importance of responsible reporting.
- Making a false report: The misuse of the app drains resources and has serious legal consequences, including felony charges.
- Legal and personal impact: False threats or reports can result in arrest, financial restitution, expulsion, and other serious repercussions.
- Parent call to action: Families are encouraged to discuss the responsible use of the FortifyFL app with their children to help create a safer school environment.
Making a threat on social media
A threat on social media can include communicating a threat to kill, do bodily harm, conduct a mass shooting, or any act of terrorism, in any way or form that others can see it, including through:
- Direct messages or posting on any social media platform
- Snapchat stories or messages
- Videos on platforms such as YouTube or TikTok
- Game servers or chats such as Discord, Stream, or Twitch
- Anonymous chat rooms or posting sites such as Whisper or Askfm
Threats can also be made via email, handwritten note, or verbal communication.
What happens if your child makes a threat?
- Merely communicating a threat is enough to warrant a felony charge, even if the person does not have the intent or ability to carry out the threat.
- Communicating a threat to kill, do great bodily harm, conduct a mass shooting, or an act of terrorism in a way that another person can view it is a second-degree felony under section 863.10, Florida Statutes.
What are the consequences?
Communicating a threat or making a false report can result in:
- Long-term out-of-school suspension
- Mandatory school expulsion for a year
- Placement in an alternative school
- Inability to attend extra-curricular functions on any campus in the district
- Paying restitution costs for the police investigation
- Criminal charges
False reports on FortifyFL are no joke!
Any false report could lead to an investigation.
If any student, parent, or other person knowingly submits a false tip through FortifyFL that involves school or school personnel’s property, school transportation, or a school-sponsored activity, law enforcement will investigate, and the person may be subject to criminal penalties.
If you or your child sees a concerning or threatening post on social media
- See something, say something
- Report it on FortifyFL
Speak to your child about posting on social media or falsely reporting a threat
We encourage you to promote responsibility and respect by reminding your child to:
- Use social media responsibly
- Use FortifyFL only for its intended purpose
- Report genuine safety concerns to a trusted adult
- False reporting comes with serious consequences
Questions?
Please contact the principal.
Thank you for supporting this important initiative and helping to keep our school community safe.