Bethlehem Police Department Says Threats Deemed `Not Credible,’ But Increases Presence at Schools Because People Post Nonsense on Social Media

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

The Bethlehem Police Department says recent threats involving schools “were deemed not credible,” adding that hoaxes “can cause unnecessary panic and divert valuable resources from real emergencies.”

One more reason not to post nonsense on Facebook, or repeat nonsense posted by others.

Anybody with a phone or access to the Internet can make a threat, and these quickly get repeated and amplified on social media.

I saw a post yesterday about threats that was hard to follow and appeared to be fiction. It didn’t make a lot of sense and appeared to be related to a personal problem, not a real threat. It’s not the kind of thing I’d have passed on to others.

“Our department is actively investigating these hoaxes and working closely with school officials to ensure the safety of students, staff, and the community,” the Bethlehem police posted on Facebook.

There will be an increased presence at local school tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 19) and the police “urge everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.”

Here’s one solution: If people stopped repeating every idiotic rumor they hear, the police wouldn’t have to spend as much time on this. Show some self-respect and respect for others. Stop passing on nonsense.