It's the 2016 Halloween trend that could be put right up there next to pumpkin spice. Clowns are taking over the woods, streets, and social media throughout the country. Everyone's worst fear seems to have come true as these stories of clown sightings seem more fitting in a Stephen King novel than the actual world that we all live in. An organized collective? Random people trying to get attention due to the vast media response? Or just a bunch of people with a sick sense of humor and desire to harm? If you haven't heard about the disturbing, not-so-friendly faced people walking around terrorizing citizens, then here is what you need to know.
The sightings began in Greenville, South Carolina in mid-August by a little boy who claims that a man dressed as a clown was standing near the edge of the woods trying to lure kids to go with him into the woods with bribes of money and candy. Apparently the clowns wanted the boy to come with them into the woods, along a narrow man-made path that led to an abandoned house at the foot of small lake. The story sure sounds more like a horror story than real life.
Since this first sighting, others have come to surface and received massive media attention. First South Carolina, then North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, New York, and of course Ohio. Clowns have been reported in multiple fashions both visually and stylistically. Some carry weapons, some carry candy. Some attack people, some simply stand and watch. They all however have done a great job at inducing panic. In any case, the scenes are quite disturbing and certainly not humorous to the everyday person with a soul.
The good news is, not many clown sightings have been reported in central Ohio. Not yet at least. According to The Columbus Dispatch, there was one sighting by a young boy in the Northland-area in late August. Other sightings near Columbus have been reported in Newark, Richland, Galion, Lancaster, and Marion. These seem to be the nearest-to-OSU sightings so far, as social media, while being a needed source of comedic relief to the incredibly dark "jokesters", is also making the credibility of alleged clown sighting more difficult to discern. Columbus police say that it's only a matter of time before more clown sightings are reported in the area.
If you do see a clown, police encourage you to call 9-1-1 immediately and find an area where there are other people around, and also remain vigilant at all times. Again, clowns have been sighted carrying weapons, so it is strongly encouraged that you do not approach the clown. If you do however decide to approach a person dressed as a twisted psychotic clown, you may have other more serious mental issues to deal with.
