Clowns have taken over the south. For the past few weeks, creepy clown sightings have been reported to police up and down both North and South Carolina. These reports tell stories of adults dressed as clowns, complete with big shoes and shockingly painted faces, attempting to lure children into the woods with items such as flashing lights, candy and even bags of money.

Both adults and children have witnessed these clowns. According to Chicago’s WGN-TV News, the three most recent sightings have occurred in the past week, including one report of a clown wielding a weapon.

These sightings have kept people on edge. Even horror master Stephen King talked about his fear of these clowns. In an interview with Bangor Daily News he remarked, “If I saw a clown lurking under a lonely bridge–or peering up at me from a sewer grate, with or without balloons– I’d be scared, too.”

King further explained the concern that is growing with these reports. “I suspect it’s a kind of low-level hysteria, like Slender Man, or the so-called Bunny Man, who purportedly lurked in Fairfax County, Va., wearing a white hood with long ears and attacking people with a hatchet or an ax. The clown furor will pass, as these things do, but it will come back, because, under the right circumstances, clowns really can be terrifying.”

This fear seems to resonate with people here at College of Dupage as well. Hannah Tamul, a nursing student here explains in an interview that she understands the public’s reaction.  “Even though I’m not afraid of them they are still creepy looking and they do weird things.”

Some people are choosing to take matters into their own hands. According to the Huffington Post, one man in Greensboro, NC claimed to chase a clown back into the woods with a machete.

It was originally thought by many that the clowns were a marketing ploy for the new Rob Zombie movie “31,” but after being questioned the film company, Saban Films, released the following statement: “The company and the film 31 are not associated in any way with the creepy clowns and costumed characters found roaming the South.”

Very little is known about these reports, as police have yet to gather any evidence about the clowns. That being said, they are taking careful measures to keep the public safe. Children are being told not to stay out after dark, and parents are warned to keep a close eye on their kids.

Greensboro police released a statement on these events explaining the legality of the situation. “Although it is lawful to dress as a clown, given the heightened tensions about these entertainers, officials are discouraging ‘copycat’ behavior by individuals who may find it humorous to mimic suspicious behavior. Copycats unnecessarily alarm the public and place an unnecessary drain on police resources.”
It is still unknown whether these sightings will stop anytime soon. Until then, the south will be waiting for a chance to relax.