In the days following Monday's school shooting in Chardon, schools across the state have reported copycat threats and incidents that have resulted in buildings being locked down or evacuated.
The reports include a student in Northeast Ohio who posted a photo of himself on Facebook with an assault rifle and a teen in Strongsville arrested after making a physical threat.
We urge students to be especially mindful of their words and actions in these times. It's easy to have a bad day and post something online that in reality is simply angry, empty words but could be construed as a threat. School and law enforcement officials must take it seriously, meaning there will be consequences and it could create unnecessary anxiety or fear in the community or school.
People need to be responsible for what they post and say and think before doing so.
At the same time, when a possibly threatening comment, however off the cuff it seems, is made, it shouldn't be dismissed.
Report it to authorities, in case it is a real threat.
We also hope area schools are practicing their emergency lockdown procedures, just as often as they do fire drills.
It's important the maneuvers become second nature so that in a panic-filled situation, students and staff will remember what they're supposed to do.
