It’s always better to err on the side of caution.

Thursday’s report of an adult observing a 14-year-old Bogalusa High School student at a bus stop with what appeared to be a weapon on the way to school was unnerving, especially with all the actual shooting incidents around the country.

The “weapon” turned out to be a BB gun pistol. Before the juvenile stepped on the school bus, he had hid the pistol under leaves.

The adult who saw the BB gun pistol called police and should be commended for his or her actions. Responding officers from the Bogalusa Police Department quickly found the youth at school. They ascertained he was in junior high from the adult witness’s description.

The juvenile had to pay the consequences of a prank.

He was charged with interference with the operation of a school, obstruction of an educational facility, disturbing the peace and being a child in need of adult supervision and booked at the Florida Parishes Detention Center.

The police department and BHS officials should also be commended for their swift action for getting control.

It’s not amusing what the youngster did. The school was placed on lockdown and there’s no telling the expense to the school. Not to mention, parents’ frayed nerves.

Again, good job to all those who played roles in this incident. It was a nice response by everyone involved.