Clowning Around: Harmless Joke or Serious Crime? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Clowning Around: Harmless Joke or Serious Crime?

Mass-panic spreads as more clown sightings are reported each day

503
Clowning Around: Harmless Joke or Serious Crime?
Pixabay

It all started as a marketing stunt promoting a short movie being filmed in Green Bay, WI with Gags the Clown. He would wander around the city between midnight and 2 am, carrying black balloons and just scaring people with his presence. Now, clown sightings have escalated to at least one a day,and many times more. This is happening all over the world. And, they aren't just standing in a dark area, doing nothing. They are wielding weapons and chasing people. It has become truly terrorizing.

The first question we must ask is: why clowns? Well, the answer is obvious. Clowns are one of the most common fears. Turn those supposedly happy characters that people are already afraid of into something truly terrifying, you have mass hysteria. The second question is: Why? Why must we prey on people's fears for a few laughs? Clowns are chasing people, and both parties are getting hurt. Most people no longer find this to be funny. People are carrying weapons and many have stated they are willing to shoot if they feel they are in danger.

The idea of safety is coming into question. There have been some reports of clowns being hurt or killed. There have also been other reports of clowns hurting or killing others. None of these murder claims have been proven to be true yet, but how long until it happens? Not only have clowns been stalking the streets at night, they are now making threats towards schools and children. "For example, a clown account in Mesa, Arizona under the name ‘Ain’t Clowning Around’ threatened to go to high schools on Friday, September 30, to kidnap students and kill teachers. Some pupils even got sent text messages asking if they were ‘ready to play’, before threatening to kill them." Read more: http://metro.co.uk/2016/10/04/people-randomly-attacked-by-creepy-clowns-across-the-us-6169775/#ixzz4N6BzLVWR Clowns have also been following people home, or attempting to lure children into woods, according to reports.

Thankfully, law enforcement is no longer seeing these clowns as harmless fun and is cracking down on them. Multiple arrests have been made, but that hasn't stopped the clowns from coming out to terrorize. So, is this all just a large preparation for Halloween, and going to stop on November 1st? Is it a promotion for the new adaptation of Stephen King's "It"? Probably not, but anything is possible. Either way, this has gotten out of hand. In Alabama alone, 9 clowns have been arrested and 7 are facing felony charges. More arrests have been made around the world. Complaints of threats and assaults are rising each day. Death threats are being made by people online who are using clown personas. Even McDonalds has put away Ronald McDonald until the fear dies down.

To those who are walking outside at night, remember to stay safe. And to those who are thinking about going out and "clowning around" this year, please don't. For your safety and the safety of others, put the clown away.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

109898
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

21542
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

19841
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments