Police receive reports of people dressing up and scaring people

Greater Sudbury Police have received three complaints about people dressing up as clowns and trying to scare people in the Long Lake area.

Police spokesperson Kaitlyn Dunn said the calls came in Tuesday and were the first the force have received regarding the so-called creepy clown phenomenon. She urged residents to contact police if such incidents are repeated.

“We're urging the public to contact police, and provide as much detail as they can,” Dunn said.

If someone sees a rogue clown, try and provide as much detail as possible when calling, she added, including the license plate if they are driving and the clothes they are wearing.

Including details about the clown makeup?

“Yes,” Dunn replied.

Some people on Sudbury.com's Facebook page Wednesday described seeing a group dressed as clowns trying to scare people. In response to a call out from Sudbury.com about clown sightings, people reported seeing clowns in the Long Lake area, Coniston and downtown Sudbury.

“My 10-year-old son came home terrified around 8 p.m. last night,” one person from Coniston wrote. “Him and a friend saw a person dressed as a clown and they started chasing him. I reported the incident to Greater Sudbury Police.”

“Six people in full costume jumped in front my car while driving,” another person wrote.

“Almost ran over six kids last night in Long Lake who jumped in front of my car with clown costumes on,” still another person said. “If I didn't swerve they were all getting run over ... And I don't think I've ever screamed so loud!”

Reports of creepy clown sightings have been growing since the first report emerged in August in South Carolina. More than a dozen incidents have been since reported in the U.S., as the phenomenon spreads via social media.

With Halloween coming, Dunn was asked whether police expected more creepy clown problems before the end of the month.

“We would hope not,” she said.