This past weekend, police arrested a Center Township man after he allegedly posted a photo of himself on social media holding a semi-automatic rifle and including a caption that said “Ready for school!”

The 24-year-old man told police that his Snapchat post was just a joke, but the FBI — which notified police about the photo — and local law enforcement are obviously taking the matter seriously. They should.

The incident is not the first of its type at Butler County schools.

Two years ago, a Knoch High School student was spotted in a Snapchat video firing an AK-style weapon that was accompanied by the caption, “Training for prom walk.” He was arrested and eventually entered into a plea agreement. Since the incident, he and family members were working on creating a website that focuses on the dangers involved with using social media.

In another incident that same year, a middle school student was questioned after posting a Snapchat photo of two shotguns and a knife with the caption “Can’t wait until after school.” It was later determined that the incident likely related to hunting.

At any time, an incident like the one last weekend involving the Center Township resident would be a cause for concern.

Considering that an armed insurrection was attempted at the U.S. Capitol two weeks ago, the concern is even greater.

In the current atmosphere — during which a presidential inauguration required more than 20,000 troops in the U.S. Capitol — county schools might want to consider beefing up their own security.

After the Knoch incident, some county school districts took steps to improve security, such as Mars Area School District’s agreement to form a hybrid school police force, South Butler’s decision to add metal detectors and increase resources for school police officers, and Butler High School making alterations for its security entrance.

As the threat of violence has in creased at state capitols in recent weeks and led to enhanced security, schools should consider doing the same. Budgets in county municipalities are likely tight because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but this is an area of great urgency at the moment.

School safety needs to remain a priority, especially during this fraught time in our nation.

— NCD