Oct 8, 2014 2 min read

The morning of Oct. 6 was a hectic one for students, teachers and parents at Bethel Park High School. Over the weekend, a bomb threat was sent in. Though it was deemed not credible, chaos still ensued, and about two-thirds of students went home for the day.

This marks the second time in recent weeks that a local high school was the target of a threat.

On Sept. 18, an email threat was sent targeting Upper St. Clair High School’s athletic groups. Though it was also deemed not credible, police presence was still upped at the school, as backpacks and other items had to be checked before students were allowed inside the building the next day.

We aren’t sure why people send in these threats, but we do know that they cause a lot of unnecessary stress, wasted time and wasted money for the students, staff, parents and police that are involved, because every threat needs to be treated and investigated as though it is legit.

In the days of yore, also known as the 1990s and before, threats were often called in from pay phones, and while they could be traced to a specific phone, that was often where things ended. Thanks to technological advances, those making these threats today should know that they will be caught – emails are traceable, as are cell phone calls and text messages. These threats are not cute and they are not funny.

Punishment – well deserved – can range from felony charges of threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct.

We hope that the investigations in these incidents are swift and productive, and we hope that those responsible will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.