The hysteria gripping some social media users over recent reported so-called creepy clown sightings in parts of Pennsylvania and throughout much of the country has no basis in fact, according to a Community Awareness Bulletin issued by Pennsylvania State Police Tuesday.
STOCK PHOTO
The state police bulletin–which was shared on the Lower Saucon Township website–states:
“A number of clown-related social media posts were displayed this past weekend regarding threats towards school districts in Pennsylvania and throughout the country. Some threats stated that a clown would arrive at the school and ‘shoot all students and teachers,’ while another threat stated they ‘weren’t clowning around.’ Most of the social media posts were attributed to a ‘clown joke,’ possibly linked to numerous clown sightings throughout the nation and the world. These sightings have not been validated and there are no known threats to schools in Pennsylvania. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to their closest police department.”
“Many of these reported clown sightings have little to no evidence establishing their legitimacy, but it is fueling a clown panic throughout the country,” police said in the bulletin, which includes citations. “Due to the media coverage of clown sightings, many people want to become involved in the phenomenon. Over the past two weeks at least 12 people were arrested in Georgia, Alabama and Virginia for making false reports of clown threats or chasing people while costumed.”
A similar clown-related mass hysteria occurred in parts of the U.S. in the 1980s and primarily involved false reports by children ages 5 to 7, police indicated.
State police emphasized that their bulletin was provided for informational purposes only.
The public is encouraged to report suspicious activity by calling the toll‐free Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Terrorism Tip Line at (888) 292‐1919, or via email at ti**@pa.gov.
PSP also has a downloadable “See Something, Send Something” smartphone app to help fight terrorism.
“The app allows suspicious activity to be captured as a photograph or written note and sent directly to PaCIC,” the bulletin said. “Available at no cost to iPhone and Android users, the app also contains information on what to look for and when to report suspicious activity.”
Although there have not been any reported clown sightings in the Saucon Valley area, the Express-Times has reported on alleged sightings and/or clown-related threats in Easton, Phillipsburg and other Lehigh Valley communities since late September. On Tuesday it reported on a possible “lewd incident” involving a clown in Blairstown, N.J., and on Wednesday the newspaper reported about a clown Facebook post that allegedly makes vague threats against Liberty and Freedom high schools in the Bethlehem Area School District.
