In a statement released on the City of Moscow Facebook page Tuesday, the Moscow Police Department reminded locals that there’s no law against dressing up like a clown.
However, “trespassing, assault and battery, second degree stalking and injury to or enticing a child will be investigated and charged accordingly” — regardless as to whether the perpetrator is costumed.
Several Monday evening calls to the police and University of Idaho Campus Security prompted this statement as callers reported clown sightings on and off campus.
But what prompted the clowns?
Clowns are being seen across the nation. So far, about a dozen states — including Idaho — have reported sightings. According to The Guardian, the first of America’s clown sightings happened in South Carolina two months ago, when a little boy ran home and told his mother he’d seen two clowns in the woods attempting to lure him to an abandoned house.
Beginning with South Carolina, these “lurking clown” sightings have spread like wildfire across the southeast then to the north. The International Business Times cites Idaho’s first report on Monday in Nampa, but The Spokesman Review reported a clown chased a boy with a pair of scissors near Lake City High School in Coeur d’Alene Sunday night.
Not appearing on these national news sites, however, are the countless rumors swirling through communities across the country — including Moscow. Every few hours there’s a new tweet — “Heard there was a clown behind the library last night” or “there were clowns and gun shots in the arboretum” — but none of these alleged sightings or accounts of gun shots have been proven.
There are speculations about how this clown fad began, with some saying it might be a publicity stunt for the upcoming movie “It” gone wrong. Regardless, this is quickly becoming an opportunity for creeps and jokesters to don colorful costumes and accost people, and Halloween’s impending arrival won’t help matters.
It does not matter whether members of the Moscow community find these clown sightings humorous or terrifying, this nonsense needs to be taken seriously.
In cases across the country, people dressed in clown costumes are provoking fear and putting themselves and others in serious danger. From beatings to shootings, there are acts of violence being committed in response to this fad. Schools are being locked down or closed due to clown threats. As the Moscow Police said, trespassing and assault are still crimes, whether or not the suspect wears a costume.
Members of the Moscow and UI community can start to combat this epidemic of unnecessary fear by putting a stop to rumors, whether by word of mouth or on social media. Just because students hear there was a clown lurking on Greek row doesn’t mean they should pass it on.
Speculation is exhilarating, especially when the topic is as eerie and off-the-wall as creepy clowns, but the criminal nature of this topic makes it vital to stomp out rumors. There is nothing funny about spreading havoc.
— LK