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Creepy clown sightings spread to Long Island – Metro US

Creepy clown sightings spread to Long Island

Creepy clown sightings spread to Long Island
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After a rash of clown sightingsin states around the East Coast, reports of the costumed charactersare reaching the New York area.

On Wednesday, Suffolk County police said they received two reports of people dressed as clowns in North Babylon and Brentwood, Newsday reported.

In North Babylon, a person in a clown costume was allegedly spotted, and in Brentwood, a group of people dressed as clowns were seen “jumping in front of cars,” according to Newsday.

“While the motives of these individuals could not be determined, the department reminds the public false reporting and intentional harassment or disturbing of the peace can lead to legal consequences,” said Stu Cameron, Suffolk County’s police chief, according to ABC7.

No arrests have been made in either incident.

The Superintendent of Schools in Lindenhurst, in a message, said that elementary school children were being kept in during recessfor the dayand “our security team is on high alert,” according to the station:

“As the community may be aware, there have been several reports of creepy clown sightings in areas surrounding the Lindenhurst community with the intent to frighten those passing by. Earlier this morning, district officials were made aware of a Tweet threatening that Lindenhurst would be the next area targeted by the clowns. Please be assured that we have contacted Suffolk County Police, who have been made aware of the situation. Out of an abundance of caution, we will be keeping elementary school children in during recess today and our security team is on high alert. Please report any suspicious sightings to Suffolk County Police. We appreciate your attention and will continue to keep you updated with any additional information.”

Reports of these so-called creepy clown sightings started in late August in Greenville County, South Carolina, centering around them offering children money to lure them into the woods or just strangelyhanging around certain places, according to the New York Times.

Sightings then spread to Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

Twelve people are facing charges for making false reports or threats, or chasing people, according to the Times. Police have never been able to verify the sightings, and believe theycould be due to children with overactive imaginations or pranks.