Clown Scare Crisis
Clown Scare “Crisis”:
If you ever doubted the power of social media to perpetuate a culture of fear look no further than the Clown Scare “Crisis” taking place in our cities and schools. The only reason I list this type of incident as a crisis is the fact that these events have consumed multiple hours of education time, law enforcement time, and school personnel’s time, and unfortunately we are not done yet.
Listed below are some reported* facts and solutions for school leaders to consider:
1. Dressing up in a clown costume is not illegal. What the clown does and/or or has in their
possession determines legality
2. There have been over 294 clown reported incidents at schools across the U.S. (50 in Chicago
Public Schools) causing over 134 school cancellations/lockdowns/event cancellations since
August.
3. Actual clown reported arrests nationwide: 7
4. Actual reported arrests for false clown threats: 24
5. Actual reports of crimes committed by clown and/or group of clowns: 68
6. Actual clown type physical attacks on a school: 1
7. Publicly posted “Clown Hunts” at Universities and Schools: 26
*Based on media reports and personal interviews listed below
Solution:. Due to the amount of hype and past incidents it is the right thing to do to take notice, and even anticipate a clown related incident in/near your city/school.
Strongly consider banning clown masks and clown outfits of any nature on campus. Due to the amount of reports there is an elevated risk at this time of clown related incidents nationwide.
However, the more you can talk to students/community about the “hype” and why the hype continues to grow the better educated they will be. In addition, the more you can inform students/community of the consequences of false reports and law enforcement’s ability to track down the sender of threats, the better chance incidents rates subside.
Last, but not least, these type of incidents will subside. It will take time, and more than likely the passing of Halloween, but the more charges filed and arrests made (and unfortunately yes an elevated attack and/or the probable acts of violence against threatening clowns), the more those wanting attention through this method of threatening will be reduced.
