Squatters invade cemetery, threaten news crew with knife! State vows to send in . . . outreach workers.

Officials see threats of deadly violence as another opportunity to offer handouts.

Nothing says “weak and feeble” like a flimsy and clueless response to threats of armed violence.

But that’s what we’re getting in response to the trashing of a Pearl City cemetery by illegal squatters, one of whom ordered a local news crew to leave and threatened them with a knife to make his point — all on camera, no less.

It’s the same old story.  Neighbors say the situation has gotten completely out of control and become downright dangerous.  Growing encampment, illegal drugs, trash everywhere, threats to safety, etc., etc., etc.

Excerpt:  “Within minutes of arriving, Hawaii News Now found out first-hand what they were talking about. Before even stepping foot into the cemetery, a man wielding a knife emerged from the encampment and told HNN to leave.”

State officials say they had no idea there was a problem.  They’ll send outreach workers to offer the culprits assistance.  Soon.  Real soon.

That’s weak enough.  But when you have news footage of a specific person threatening people with a large knife, it really is time to take action.

No outreach workers bearing gifts and promises.  No, this situation calls for cops and a rubbish truck.  There must be zero tolerance for unprovoked threats of violence, especially those involving weapons.

If the culprit is mentally ill or something, the courts can figure that part out and deal with it.

Doing nothing — except maybe coddling the offenders when you get around to it — is just stupid and dangerous.

It’s so emblematic of the weak and half-assed “response” we’ve seen to this ever-growing crisis that’s wrecking our communities and quality of life.

It’s totally unfair to law-abiding citizens.

And it’s just asking for more trouble.