Keith Roysdon

kroysdon@muncie.gannett.com

MUNCIE, Ind. — After rampant rumors and postings on social media, Muncie authorities on Wednesday assured the public: Killer clowns are not coming to get you.

In rumors that mix the nightmarish quality of sinister clowns like Pennywise in Stephen King's "It" with the violence of movies like "The Purge," posts on Twitter and Facebook in recent days have played up fears that people dressed as clowns are scaring people on the street or in local parks — or intend to go house-to-house to harm people inside.

"Update on the clowns," reads one often-shared Muncie-area Facebook post. "Police are saying to stay inside at night keep your doors and windows locked. Everyone is to stay away from the woods! If you see a clown you are to call 911 right away. Clowns have gotten out of hand they are now breaking into people's homes ... two clowns have already been arrested."

People are taking the rumors seriously, with dozens of calls to 911.

And Muncie Police Chief Steve Stewart is taking it seriously, too.

"The thing I want the public to know is we know who some of these people are and we will be watching them closely," Stewart said Wednesday in reference to people behind the rumors who also might or might not also be dressing up as clowns.

Stewart said that no one has been arrested in connection to the rumors and acknowledged that police aren't even certain if clowns have indeed scared anyone or met in groups locally in places like Heekin Park, a spot specified in some social media posts.

"A lot of it is rumor and innuendo on social media," the police chief said. "We've had reports clowns are going to be someplace but they never show up. What you worry about is what the clowns would do to someone if they tried to scare them or frighten them, and the flip side of that is what someone might do to the clowns.

"It's kind of silly, but the whole county is concerned about it. We've got a couple of names already. We'll be looking."

The rumors follow months of sinister clown sightings around the country, some of which were unconfirmed or exposed as hoaxes or publicity stunts.

In Greenville, South Carolina, police investigated reports that clowns were trying to lure children into woods. The Associated Press reported in recent days that no arrests had been made and no evidence — "not even a prankster in a clown suit" — had turned up. NPR reported that clown sightings, and even arrests, had occurred in several states. A Pennsylvania police chief said his department had arrested "two knuckleheads with clown-like clothes" who yelled at children and teenagers.

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In Muncie, rumors began circulating after someone created a "Muncie Klowns" Facebook page. The page, which appears to have been deleted recently, posted pictures of clowns spotted around the country as well as cryptic comments about gathering in Muncie parks for a "purge." That's an apparent reference to a series of suspense/horror movies that began with "The Purge" in 2013. In the movies, laws are enforced except for one night a year, when gangs go on murderous rampages, sometimes while wearing masks.

The rumors have unnerved some kids and adults in Muncie. People have posted online that they're afraid to go out at night and that their children are scared.

Tracy Rothermel said Wednesday that her 12-year-old daughter was getting teased by other students about the clowns. Rothermel said officials at Southside Middle School, where her daughter attends classes, are reassuring students there's nothing to worry about. "They are on top of it," she said.

Nevertheless, Rothermel said her daughter "had a nightmare last night, all because kids are talking about it."

As Muncie's clown anxiety increases, people either post on social media or call 911.

Joe Winkle, director of the city-county 911 center, told The Star Press Wednesday morning that his call-takers and dispatchers have received more than 50 calls from people with reports or questions about clowns.

"No sightings that I know of," Winkle added about police follow-up to the calls.

He added that dispatchers sent Muncie police to the Boys & Girls Club on South Madison Street Tuesday evening, but police found only a man in a panda mask.

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On Twitter, the phrase "Muncie clowns" prompts numerous posts from people either frightened at the idea or willing to go fight some clowns.

"What THE HELL is happening in Muncie there is no way there's clowns killing people," one person tweeted. Another wrote, "All I'm saying is if no police officer has seen a clown in the three hours this has been going on, there's probably not any clowns."

Others are reacting to the rumors with humor. Gretchen Ann Schmaltz posted on Facebook, "Muncie Clown sighting on Madison. Everyone lock your doors tonight. Stay safe." Along with the posting was a picture of the Ronald McDonald statue in front of McDonald's.

Ball State University student journalist Kara Berg tweeted late Tuesday and early Wednesday about "suspected clown sightings" and urging calm, noting the unconfirmed nature of calls to 911.

The postings come at a bad time, with Halloween activity ramping up. Haunted houses open to the public during Halloween season feature menacing clowns in their haunts and social media sites.

Nearly 100 years ago, silent film actor Lon Chaney, famous for playing the Phantom of the Opera and other ominous figures, knew the lowdown on clowns.

"A clown is funny in the circus ring," Chaney, who died in 1930, was famously quoted as saying. "But what would be the reaction to opening a door at midnight and finding the same clown standing there in the moonlight?"

Sleep tight, everybody.

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Contact Keith Roysdon at 765-213-5828 and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.