MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. -- Manatee County schools says reported threats are helping to make schools a lot safer.
Paul Damico, chief of safety for Manatee County schools says there are several reasons we hear more about threats today, than five years ago.
"More people are reporting what they see," said Damico.
Many school districts like, Manatee County, now have a zero-tolerance policy meaning every single threat no matter how big or small is seriously investigated.
"If a child or student does make any type of threat, or even says something out loud that instills fear in people, they’ll get dealt with. They get a minimum of 10 days suspension," Joel Perez, Manatee County SRO Lieutenant.
So far this year, there have been two arrests and seven investigations into school threats in Manatee County, which are average numbers.
The good thing, the threats are being reported so they can be investigated.
"If you see something, say something, do something," said Lt. Perez.
