“This is a time when I would want to lock up these b----- and throw away the key.”

This frustrated comment came from a principal in one of our local school districts, who asked that I not use his name.

He was referring to the disruption and chaos that resulted from “swatting” threats that occurred last week shortly after the mass murder of six at a Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee.

A number of area schools were impacted, including Lehighton, East Stroudsburg, Catasauqua, Allen and Nazareth. In addition, a lockdown occurred at Valley View School District in Lackawanna County, and there were swatting reports at many other schools in Pennsylvania and other states.

Unlike the prank phone calls from disgruntled students or the pulling of fire alarm devices by mischievous students who think this is a big joke, this recent rash of “swatting” incidents was far more sophisticated and probably the work of foreign interventionists, according to police.

State police and the FBI believe the calls were computer-generated. This is an example of how evildoers are using advanced computer tools, even artificial intelligence, to take advantage of the public’s concerns over mass shootings for ideological gain.

Some parents have asked why the schools just don’t ignore these threats which they believe are “obvious attempts to take advantage of the hysteria that accompanies a mass shooting, especially one which includes children.” The shootings in Nashville included the murder of three 9-year-olds.

The short answer is that it would be unconscionable for schools to ignore warnings of this nature. If they did, and something happened that resulted in death and/or injury to students and staff or damage to a school facility there would be hell to pay.

“It’s all hands on deck,” said Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck. “It doesn’t matter how many false calls there are; every one has to be treated as if it’s real.”

Aside from last week’s “swatting” reports, there are incidents where students write messages on bathroom walls, for example. When they are caught, these students face juvenile court action for terroristic threats, which would be a criminal complaint for minors. Too often, these youngsters receive merely a slap on the wrist and little else.

Those who are 18 or older are treated as adults, and, as such, face much stricter penalties if convicted. I want to reiterate that I have and continue to recommend that the juvenile age limit be dropped to 16, which I believe would be a major deterrent in ferreting out students who believe such bad behavior is merely a lark, and too many parents pass it off as “kids being kids.”

For those of you not acquainted with the term “swatting,” it is the practice of making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to activate a major response from armed police to a particular address or location.

The name comes from “SWAT,” an acronym for Special Weapons and Tactics. A SWAT team is made up of highly trained law enforcement officers and provides round-the-clock protection in critical police situations, especially when a person has barricaded himself and has taken hostages.

Many officials are calling for legislation that would define “swatting” as a form of terrorism because of its being used to intimidate and create the possibility of death or injury.

As it stands, making false reports to emergency personnel is a criminal offense punishable by a fine or imprisonment, but critics say current laws don’t go far enough.

“Swatting” carries the potential for violence and causes resources to be wasted by political jurisdictions, along with the risk of liability if things go sideways.

Some states, such as California, have passed legislation making the “swatter” liable for fines of up to $10,000 if death or injury from a phony “swatting” call occurs.

Northampton DA Houck agrees with these measures and says one of the ways to stop such false activities is by fully prosecuting the offender.

The foregoing opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or THe Valley Press LLC.