Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
Recent incident lists from the Shawano Police Department include two reports of so-called “creepy clown” sightings in the city, suggesting a bizarre national trend has found its way here.
According to the New York Times, the scare began in August when a young man began wandering the streets of Green Bay in gruesome black-and-white clown makeup, carrying black balloons.
The reports of clown sightings have spread to some 20 states, according to news reports. The Times has dubbed it “The Great Clown Scare” of 2016.
A majority have been dismissed by law enforcement as pranks. There are no reports of anyone being physically harmed, but more than a dozen people have been arrested in connection with the sightings.
Whether they are pranks, threats or actual sightings, police and other officials have to take them seriously as a potential threat to safety.
In response to the phenomenon, some schools across the country are banning clown costumes, and retail chain Target on Monday announced it was removing Halloween clown masks from its shelves amid national reports of “clown threats.”
McDonald’s also recently announced it was giving its mascot, Ronald McDonald, some “time off” until the clown hysteria dies down.
The Janesville School District sent a note to parents last week, saying officials had heard talk of clowns in the area who were “indicating threatening actions.”
Reports of clowns in Sheboygan stirred fears, but police could not confirm any sightings, the Sheboygan Press reported Oct. 11.
The Beloit Police Department last week posted on its Facebook page that police wanted to talk to Twisty TheClown, and the public was asked to help police identify him.
Twisty TheClown apparently started a Facebook page and posted messages suggesting he would visit various high schools in the Beloit area.
Shawano police reports show two clown sightings this month.
Police were called to Center and Andrews streets about 8 p.m. Friday for a report of “a clown chasing kids around.”
Police talked with some children in the area who said they saw a clown, but no clown was located, according to the police report.
Police were also called out around 10:30 p.m. Oct. 10 to a report of a male subject wearing a clown mask in the 500 block of South Main Street. The clown was reportedly carrying a bat or a pole, according to the caller.
Police did not locate any clowns.
Lt. Mike Musolff said there’s nothing illegal about dressing up as a clown, unless the person is breaking the law, such as causing a disturbance, carrying a weapon or trespassing on private property.