How to handle rumored clown sightings

LANCASTER - Do not confront any clowns you may see in the area, police say.

Rather, as with any suspicious person, police chief Don McDaniel encourages anyone that may see a threatening clown to call law enforcement.

"If you see something that concerns you, please call," McDaniel said.

One woman called police Tuesday at 2:08 a.m. and said she saw someone dressed as a clown near Washington Avenue with a large kitchen knife. A call log entry shows the woman also referenced a post on social media. That post mentioned a person dressed in black clothing wearing a clown mask in the area of General Sherman Junior High.

Officers checked, but were unable to locate a clown near Washington Avenue. McDaniel said police talked with witnesses at the scene that said they saw two people dressed as clowns: one in a gold suit with balloon and another in all black.

Police were unable to verify the claims made on social media of clowns near General Sherman Junior High, McDaniel said.

No arrests have been made so far. Even if there are people in town in clown costumes, McDaniel said there's nothing inherently criminal about it.

"Being in a clown mask in and of itself is not illegal," McDaniel said.

But chasing others, looking in windows, attempting to break into cars and homes or wielding knives could lead to an arrest.

Fairfield County Sheriff Dave Phalen said that charges could range from menacing, inducing panic to disorderly conduct if someone is behaving criminally in a clown costume.

McDaniel anticipates that as Halloween gets closer, these reports will increase. Patrol officers have been told to be on the lookout for clowns. McDaniel also feels that more than likely, anyone dressing as a clown and roaming around at night is just looking for attention.

"It's best not to give them the reaction they're looking for," McDaniel said.

Phalen agrees, and says it's likely teenagers looking for a reaction on social media. Teens were recently arrested in Troy, Alabama, after threats were posted on social media.

Phalen said the sheriff's office has not received any reports of suspicious people wearing clown costumes in the county.

Reports of clowns terrorizing towns have been spreading across the country. South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Pennsylvania and Ohio have all had reports of people dressed as clowns.

tthurston@lancastereaglegazette.com

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Twitter: @tristathurston