East Lyme school and town officials handled the recent threat of school violence with appropriate seriousness, while not stepping over the line into alarmism. After Wednesday's arrest, it appeared the alleged instigator of the threat did not have the means to carry it out. However, officials had acted correctly by proceeding on the assumption that he could do so.

The situation began with a Dec. 23 posting on the social media application Yik Yak. "East Lyme better get ready for the hail of bullets I've been bullied to (sic) long and after break I am going to let all my anger out," stated the anonymous posting.

While the investigation was continuing, and law enforcement officials had not yet determined the seriousness of the threat, East Lyme Public Schools Superintendent James Lombardo opted to postpone a boys' basketball game against Haddam-Killingworth and called off the girls' holiday basketball tournament, scheduled for East Lyme High School.

Arguably, increased police security could have dealt with the threat and allowed the games to proceed, but Dr. Lombardo recognized the difficulty during a winter break of mustering the staffing necessary to screen those arriving for the games. Caution was the better option.

At the same time, the school was moving forward with Monday's return to school even as the investigation continued and police were narrowing in on a suspect. This, too, was the right option. With the advance notice of the threat and the return of school staff from the holiday break, the school system had the resources in place to assure a safe return to schools. Cancelling classes could encourage copycats.

On Wednesday, police arrested Tyler McKenzie, 18, of East Lyme on charges of first-degree threatening and second-degree breach of peace. He is a 2014 graduate of East Lyme High School. Indicative of the seriousness with which law enforcement viewed the threat, the investigation included East Lyme police, the Eastern District Major Crime Squad of the state police, the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, and New London County State's Attorney's office.

Police authorities said Mr. McKenzie did not have access to firearms.

It is now for the court to sort out why Mr. McKenzie made such an outrageous threat and what should be the consequences.

Recent history shows that the potential for school violence is all too real and authorities cannot afford to dismiss such threats when they arise.