Scary Clown, Flickr.com, Common Use May 2008 (UTC) by Kelly (talk).The Prince William Police Department feels there is no reason for the community to be alarmed over rumors of proposed clown sightings at local schools or in other public places.
Police spokesperson Office Nathan Probus explained there has been a rash of social media postings around the region recently, which claims people intend to dress up as scary clowns while in public.
“Postings on social medias that say they are going to dress up as clowns, show up in various locations, and strike fear, essentially,” Probus said.
Thus far, local rumors have been unsubstantiated as there have been no sightings in Prince William County.
Rumors have spiked after posts in the D.C. metro region picked up, Friday. One post, which originated in Prince George’s County, Maryland, claims that clowns would come to various schools around the regions, this week.
“We are aware there were some posts on social media. We don’t believe them to be anything credible,” he said. “The school system also doesn’t believe it to be credible”
Metz Middle School in Manassas City had been mentioned by name in one recent online threat.
The administration at Metz Middle School sent a message home to parents, Monday, saying they are aware of rumors of a potential threat against the school, and since the rumor caused so much excitement, they decided to address it.
The administration said they are working closely with the Manassas City Police Department and that “normal activity resumes inside the schools.”
While rumors have surfaced that people are donning the clown costumes to commit crimes, Probus said that has not been substantiated; it is more of a case of people wanting to use the costume, mask and/or makeup to strike fear in people.
Probus warns that wearing a mask in public is a punishable offense. According to the Virginia Code, people over 16 years of age shall not wear masks or obscure their faces in public places with certain exceptions such as dressing up for Halloween or performing in a play.
People around the country have been arrested for participating in the “clown hoax” and will be arrested in Virginia, so Probus advised people not to dress up or post a hoax sighting.
“We do take seriously,” he said.
Prince William Police are being vigilant and will take all threats seriously, he said; however, they also do not want to alarm people. At this time, police believe these incidents are simply attempts to frighten people during the Halloween season, and in some cases incite mass fear that quickly spreads via social media.
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