Clowning around frowned upon by sheriff, and likely illegal

Some people think dressing up in a clown costume and lurking around in the shadows is great fun and a harmless prank.
Others have a genuine fear of clowns and don’t consider it a laughing matter.
Sheriff Johnny Bivens says the Lewis County E-911 Dispatch Center has received multiple calls from people who have reportedly seen people in clown costumes across the county and are concerned.
“Our officers, and officers with the Vanceburg Police Department, have investigated calls from our citizens who are genuinely frightened by these reported sightings,” Bivens said.

He added that reports of clown sightings circulating in several states through social media and mainstream media have created a wave of copycat incidents in which someone dresses in a clown costume and mimics the actions of those who have done this in other areas.
These incident reports are not being taken lightly by Bivens and his deputies.
“When we receive a call of this nature we respond to the scene to investigate,” Bivens said. “At the time we don’t know who the person in costume is or what their intentions are.”

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