So you’re in favor of knee-jerk overreaction, instead of deploying our limited resources where they’re actually needed, then?
Everyone knew it wasn’t a bomb, and they had no evidence that he was trying to make people believe it was a bomb, yet they wasted the police’s time with it. “Softened future targets?” Sounds like the target’s pretty soft already - soft in the head.
If the police didn't think it was a bomb, why did they take the boy away in handcuffs?
While in college I fashioned a fake blasting cap from a spent nickel .45 ACP shell casing. I had twisted yellow #24 telephone wire coming out of the open end, and filled the casing with epoxy. I used dry transfer letters to label it just like the real thing. Its purpose was a training aid for my ROTC Ranger unit. This inert device caused quite a sensation, including evacuation of my dorm and a very thorough search of my room. This was in the 1970s back when everyone wasn't a potential terrorist in someone's eyes.
In retrospect, I don't think they over-reacted. Those who are responsible for the safety of large numbers of children cannot be too careful. After all, it is Muzzies who are singularly responsible for 98% of the entire world's mayhem and murder.