Clowns are everywhere and America is shook.

As someone who grew up with a fear of clowns, the recent reports of creepy clown sightings have been nothing short of terrifying. What started out as an eerie story about some people dressed as clowns luring kids into the woods of South Carolina has caught national attention as clowns have been spotted lurking and making threats across the nation. According to TIME Magazine, clowns have been spotted in 24 states and now citizens in the UK have reported seeing clowns creeping around.

Are the clowns dangerous?

While no significant damage seems to have been done by the creepy clowns, some people have been reported being chased by knife-wielding clowns (like the one in this video) as well as being threatened by the red-nosed beasts. On Friday, September 30, schools in and around Reading, Ohio (not too far from where I live) were closed temporarily after a woman reported being choked by a clown on her front porch at 4 a.m. whilst smoking a cigarette. While choking the woman, the clown reportedly said, “I should just kill you now- students and teachers will wish they were never born at the junior and senior high school today.” Local schools closed for the day as police investigated the threats. In the same area another woman reported a clown attack the following Saturday. However it was found that she made up the story of the attack to excuse being late to work that day. According to Fox 19 News the woman was charged with “making false alarm.” These kinds of false reports are making it more and more difficult to assess whether or not the trend of the creepy clowns is simply a prank or something more sinister. It is almost Halloween after-all.

Should I be scared?

While more arrests have been made regarding false reports of clown attacks than actual clown attacks, police are taking all incidents seriously. I personally am not overly concerned at the moment as most of the reports seem to be either false or a college kid trying to get some laughs. That being said, if I do come across a clown somewhere besides a circus and/or carnival, I cannot promise that I will respond peacefully. So if you’re a clown and you’re reading this, you’ve been warned.

The clown community responds.

In response to having their reputation tarnished, professional clowns have organized a Clown Lives Matter protest which will take place on October 15 in Tucson, Arizona. Wow, I can’t believe I just typed that sentence. Yes, it is true. According to Fox News, over 100 clowns are expected to show up at the event dedicated to showing the nation that “clowns are not psycho killers.”

How should you respond if encountered by a clown?

Even if you believe this is all one big prank, you can never be too safe. It’s hard to tell if someone in a clown costume is just a prankster or a John Wayne Gacy imitator. Either way it’s best to alert the police immediately and do what you must to get out of the situation. DO NOT negotiate with a clown.