NEWS

Clown sightings? None reported, say police, sheriff

Michael Throne
Editor

CHILLICOTHE - Chillicothe police and the Ross County Sheriff's Office want to be clear about something: There have been no reported creepy clown sightings or incidents of violence in the area.

Yes, they say, there are a lot of social media rumors of sightings from Londonderry to Bainbridge and from Frankfort to Massieville, but there haven't been any serious incidents involving people dressed up as clowns. It's not illegal to dress up like a clown, even if they look like they might do something nefarious.

But just because law enforcement officials have no reports of sinister-looking clown sightings doesn't mean there won't be any confirmed sightings in the future.

"We have always said that the community and media are our greatest information resource," said Staff Lt. Mike Preston, of the Sheriff's Office. "We would always rather have a hundred reports of suspicious activity that turn out to be nothing than to not have something reported that is suspicious."

Police Detective Bud Lytle agreed.

"We know that a lot of things get stirred up on social media," said Lytle, who is the city's public information officer. "But it's not been an issue so far."

Lytle said the only report he could think of concerned fliers being placed on cars at a River Trace Lane store. The fliers warned people the clowns were coming to the area and they were dangerous. No one was found in a clown costume at that time.

If a resident does see a clown who appears threatening, he or she should call the police or Sheriff's Office and report the sighting.

Sightings have been reported in Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

With Halloween approaching, both Preston and Lytle expect there will be more rumors of clown sightings, but both had a word of advice for people who want to dress up.

"If people want to dress up as clowns and drive or walk around, they should be careful," Preston said, because they could elicit a response if those around them feel threatened.

"It's never a good idea — whether you're in costume or not — to go around scaring children and creating fear," Lytle said.

If someone creates fear or panic, they could be charged with inducing panic, which is commonly a first-degree misdemeanor, but also could be a felony.