No sooner had the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement late this morning declaring Flagler County a clown-free zone than a clown was allegedly spotted and photographed in Palm Coast’s W Section, prompting a different statement from the sheriff’s office.
“At approximately 2:42 p.m. today, a citizen who resides at 20 Woodlyn Lane in Palm Coast called the FCSO to let us know that she had seen a clown in her backyard,” the statement read. “According to the caller, the clown was holding two pink balloons and as a picture was taken of the clown, the clown ran into the woods. A search of the area was completed and the clown was not located. The clown is described as wearing all pink clothing, red wig, red nose and red, white and blue shoes.”
“While on the call, deputies learned from a citizen in the area who heard via social media that a clown may have been trying to scare children as they got off their school bus. Deputies escorted two buses through the neighborhood and ensured all children departed the buses safely.”
Sheriff’s officials reiterated their warning against individuals who may opt to dress as clowns, either as pranks or worse, as that may lead to their arrest.
Clown Hoax Prompts Terse Warning From Flagler Sheriff as Arrests Multiply Elsewhere
“Near a roadside in a wooded area of rural Ocala, a masked and menacing figure was caught on camera lurking in the tall grass,” the Tampa Bay Times reported Thursday. “The mask’s orange matted hair, big eyes, red nose and contorted face could force a chill to climb up anyone’s spine late at night.”
“Already, similar encounters of costumed clowns have been reported across the U.S., from Kentucky to Florida,” Florida Today reported the same day. “Some of the incidents have been reported at school bus stops, along walkways and even along busy roads. In Alabama, nine “clowns” have been arrested across the state and charged with making “terroristic threats.”
There’s been similar reports in New York, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, Ohio and Wisconsin, prompting the following statement from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office today:
“There are threats circulating on social media throughout our country about people dressed like clowns scaring people. Many of the threats involve clowns going to school campuses to either kidnap students or kill teachers going to their cars. THIS IS NOT TRUE! The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and officials from Flagler County Schools have reviewed these hoaxes and have been in communication and offer the following to our citizens: Please do not use this phenomenon of false hype to dress like a clown and play jokes on others. Any attempts to do so will be treated like a real threat.”
The reports from elsewhere have not been hoaxes: in all, 12 people have been arrested so far for making threats, false reports or even chasing people. The phenomenon led to a school-district closure in Ohio. In Pensacola, a woman took a video of a clown lurking in her backyard, and subsequently explained that it was a prank intended to scare her, but the video has had 10 million views and may have fed into the phenomenon.
It is illegal in Florida to wear a mask–a clown outfit fits the bill–in order to intimidate anyone. Police could use that law locally, though Jim Troiano, the sheriff’s chief spokesman, said it is not an issue yet: the sheriff’s office wanted to get ahead of the issue and educate people about it.
“We felt it imperative we discuss it here locally, that this is not an issue, we don’t want people to be concerned,” Troiano said. But he warned against people dressing up as clowns and playing into the hoax. “It’s not going to be a good idea, we take these threats very seriously.” There’s been no threats to any schools or any individuals, however.
“We’ve heard loosely that there’s been sightings of clowns throughout Palm Coast but nothing reported to us directly,” he said, again repeating that as far as Flagler and Palm Coast are concerned, “this is not real, we don’t want our kids to get upset.”
dave says
Yea right, if my kid wants to dress like a clown and play outside they will! You will not take away my children’s right to play and be kids. What’s next? no Halloween? And no dressing up like spiderman?
John Dough says
So if I am driving one night and one of these things runs out infront of me, or runs up to me while I’m on a run. Does that mean I am allowed to use lethal force? I’m not taking any chances.
woodchuck says
So that means that there is alot of people arrested on Halloween?How about full faced motorcycle helmets?
happeningnow says
SEND IN THE CLOWNS, OH WAIT! THEY’RE ALREADY HERE.
memefourandcounting says
Dave, Really??????? Did you not read that ” nine “clowns” have been arrested across the country and charged with making “terroristic threats.” and you want your kid to dress up like one. This has nothing to do with your kids rights or Halloween. Terrorist threats are real!!! FCSO is giving us a heads up, which is much appreciated.
Anonymus says
People who are going to make stupid comments, need to READ the article, not twist the words & come to their own conclusion on what the article says!!
Born and Raised Here says
They did away with elephants, now they want to do away with clowns. Go figure.
Sw says
Lmao
MarkingTheDays says
I thought I was reading an article from The Onion.
Me says
Did you read the article has nothing to do with Halloween or kids dressing up they will not allow people to intimidate people look below at what it says seriously people no one said anything about Halloween
It is illegal in Florida to wear a mask–a clown outfit fits the bill–in order to intimidate anyone.
Ben Hogarth says
I literally cannot stop laughing. This is the most any clown has ever made me laugh too…
While I can understand how terrifying this must be for some people to see a stranger in a costume in their backyard.. you have to still laugh at the context
dave says
Yea i read the article and just because some bad apples did bad things while dressed as a clown doesn’t mean my kid can’t go outside and play dressed like a clown, we always wear the red noses from Walgreens in our family.
Bozo says
So, as long as I don’t make threats or try and intimidate people, I’m good go to go wearing my clown costume to wal-mart right?
Anonymous says
Even in these dangerous days, it is important to remember that Clowns are a fraternity of peace, and most Clown-Americans are ordinary people who don’t support terror. We should not be doubling down on clownophobia.
THE VOICE OF REASON says
There is a movie in post-production called “It.” The film is due for release next year. The movie is based on the Stephen King novel of the same name in which a clown terrorizes a small town in Maine by killing off the town’s children.
This is just the type of thing a Hollywood producer would do to promote a movie. And the fact it is happening in various locations convinces me that is what is happening here.
rst says
If attacked by a mob of clowns, go for the juggler…
Btuton says
Omg im dying
Ronald Reynolds says
Stop Clowning around already!
KarmaIsReal says
To the voice of reason: Do you actually think a hollywood producer is going to pick the backyard of some random house in Palm Coast to promote his million dollar movie? I’m not sure I’m buying that. Either way, it’s scary to me… Don’t know what to think.
carol says
Stop clowning around, I have the right to wear any clown costume I wish and wander freely as I feel fit. As long as I don’t make any threats or any unlawful acts, I’m good!!!
Hmmm says
@rst Now that’s good stuff!!!!!!
dave says
My son has red hair and freckles , I suppose I need to put a hat on him now and tell him not to smile?
Sasha says
OMG! Hahaha!!!
Rimshot says
Ques: Why won’t cannibals eat clowns?
Ans: They taste funny.
Ronald J. McDonald says
The new political correct term for this is called ” BOZO BASHERS “