OHIO
In 2016, a very strange and frightening phenomenon popped up in fall – scary clowns. Throughout the Mid-West, random sightings of scary clowns were reported on the edge of small towns, starting in August. Although likely done for fun by the perpetrators, it was no laughing matter for potential victims, seeing figures from horror movies attempt to terrorize communities in roving incidents.
With fall approaching, law enforcement has begun warning people about “Creepy Clown Sightings”. Although some may believe that the issue is harmless or merely a figment of ones’ imagination, over a dozen people were arrested for terrorizing people in multiple states.
The problem may be additionally severe this year, as a new Clown-featured movie in “IT” is breaking box office records in September, exceeding studio estimates by significant margins as it is likely to become the largest horror movie in history. Part of the media campaign for the movie involved tying balloons onto storm drains, which are part of the evil clown’s machinations in the movie, causing concerns in some communities where the stunt was performed.
Although the “Creepy Clown Sightings” were seen in the US and even worldwide, the issue struck close to Pickaway County, as, on September 27th, 2016, a Lancaster Ohio woman reported a knife-wielding clown outside of her house at 2 am. Police were unable to locate the terrorizing duo, much like many incidents throughout the country.
