It seems like everyday a new story is popping up on our social media pages about these "mysterious clown sightings." The recent phenomenon started at the end of August in South Carolina when several children reported that they spotted clowns near the edge of the woods. The children told adults that the clowns were trying to lure them to a house in the woods beside a pond. Adults also reported seeing them as well near an apartment complex.

It wasn't long after those sightings that more and more sightings started happening around the country, particularly in the South. Several reports in Georgia stated that clowns were driving around in vehicles, as well as trying to talk to kids to scare them. The Lagrange Police Department in Georgia posted on Facebook:

"Tonight we’ve received several calls about clowns in a van and in wooded areas trying to talk to children. This behavior is not cute or funny. Understand that if officers see this behavior, you’re going to have a conversation with them. And, if applicable, you may face criminal charges."

They're absolutely right. It's not funny, and it's not cute. Several people have a legit fear of clowns. It's called coulrophobia. I am one of those. When I was in the 4th grade, I was hospitalized and transferred to Children's Hospital in Birmingham, AL. My very first night there, three clowns came into my room with a feeble attempt to cheer me up. I was terrified, and they were nice clowns.

New Jersey State Police posted about the clown sightings saying, "If all of the bad people out there stuck out as much as a person dressed as a clown, we wouldn't have write posts like this." And they're right. They also included in the post that, "It's not #CreepyClowns that parents should be worried about." If only it were that simple.

Since all of these reportings, more and more videos and pictures are popping up all over social media. Most of them are just dummies trying to get fifteen minutes of fame because they know there are people on social media that will believe and share literally everything they see. Maybe the clowns are just trying to get giggles out of scaring people, but they're putting themselves in danger. This is not a trend that you want to partake in, especially here in the gun slinging South. If you pop up in someone's yard dressed as a scary clown, and they pull a gun on you, don't go crying to your mama. Or the police. And Heaven help you if you show up in my yard dressed as one. I'll shoot first, and ask questions later.