VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood has announced a series of community meetings where residents can come together to learn about the dangers of online predators.
These meetings will include presenters from both the sheriff’s office and the Florida Department of Children and Families. They are set to kick off next Monday in New Symrna Beach and continue through late August with events in DeLand, Deltona, DeBary and Pierson.
“If your kids are spending their time online, you need to be aware of what’s out there,” Chitwood said. “Your kids’ safety starts at home, and we want every family to have the knowledge and the tools to avoid the predators we know are using the same apps kids use every day.”
These meetings come after a Cocoa Beach man was arrested after deputies said he traveled to Deltona to have sex with a 12-year-old girl after conversing with an undercover deputy on the app Wink. Several other similar situations have occurred within the county, deputies said.
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You’d think the developers of these apps targeting children would have a conscience. Unfortunately there will always be another Wink out there.
— Mike Chitwood (@SheriffChitwood) July 17, 2023
We will be hosting a series of @VolusiaSheriff forums about these apps and other dangers. Schedule and more details coming soon! pic.twitter.com/YKvodYTege
The meetings are listed below and each event runs from 6- 7:30 p.m.:
- Monday, July 31
- First NSB – A Family Church
- 200 Faulkner St., New Smyrna Beach
- Monday, Aug. 7
- Tomoka Christian Church
- 1101 E. Plymouth Ave., DeLand
- Wednesday, Aug. 9
- Deltona City Hall
- 2345 Providence Blvd., Deltona
- Monday, Aug. 28
- DeBary City Hall
- 16 Colomba Road, DeBary
- Tuesday, Aug. 29
- Mission San Jose of Saint Peter
- 165 Emporia Road, Pierson
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