Bomb threats in the age of terrorism is a serious crime

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 6, 2006

The holiday season always seems to bring out the best in people. However, it also brings out more than its share of idiots - the rude and the rubberneckers, the selfish and the insincereŠand the immature and stupid, especially judging from the childish prank pulled at the Greenville Wal-Mart this weekend.

Someone called the store's phone - of all things - asking for a cheat code to use with a video game. For those unfamiliar, cheat codes allow video game players to literally &#8220cheat” while playing a video game.

But when the caller was told the store either didn't have the cheat code, or the clerk refused to give it to him, the caller replied there were explosives in the building and threatened to shoot anyone who exited the building. Apparently, the caller thought this was funny - especially when he added the tagline &#8220and there's snakes on the roof too.”

However, in the days following 9/11, bomb threats are not funny.

To their credit, Wal-Mart officials and Greenville police cleared the store of shoppers and personnel. From the statements and attitude of the caller, it would have been easy to disregard the call as what it was - a prank.

Unfortunately, joking about bombs - especially in a day in age when terrorists are targeting civilians with explosives strapped to their chests - is not humorous.

We hope police are able to bring a quick resolution to this case and the person who made this prank realizes the full consequences of his actions when he's standing before a judge in a court of law.