Emily Havens

ehavens@thespectrum.com

People dressed as clowns have recently been reported across several states — causing serious disturbances or otherwise just creeping people out — and the nationwide trend has hit Southern Utah.

Two known clown sightings have been reported to the St. George Police Department so far, and Officer Lona Trombley said both incidents were called in Monday night.

At 9:30 p.m., an individual who was walking down Valley View Drive allegedly saw two clowns walking on stilts — both were donned in black clothes and long, black capes, the caller reported.

"They were jumping out at cars," Trombley said. "It looks like the officers didn’t locate them."

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Trombley said an official report wasn’t filed because officers either didn’t locate the suspected clowns or no real crime was committed, although officers spent more than 20 minutes at the scene.

Earlier that evening, at 6:39 p.m., a woman called into dispatch alleging someone dressed as a clown had jumped out of a vehicle and chased her while she was walking near J.C. Snow Park, located at 300 E. 900 South.

However, through additional interviews with the woman who called in the incident, Trombley said responding officers discovered the clown had exited the vehicle, stood outside and just stared at the woman without saying or doing anything to her.

"The clown didn’t make any actions toward her," Trombley said.

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A variety of crimes could have been committed by these individuals, Trombley said. If the clowns had started chasing the individuals, depending on the kinds of motions they were making or if they had weapons, it would have been considered assault or aggravated assault. She said a disorderly conduct charge may have been applicable if the victims were screaming during the incident or if they were scared and upset.

According to Iron County Sheriff's Office and Cedar City Police Department officials, no reports of clown sightings have come in so far.

In Ogden, two schools were on lockdown this week after a possible clown was reported in the area, although officers weren’t able to locate the alleged suspect.

According to USA Today, more than 10 states have reported clown hauntings; some more serious than others. No arrests have been made thus far in Utah, and few have been made in other states as well due to officers being unable to locate the clowns.

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Most of the clown threats stem from social media or online forums, and Trombley said officials can only assume kids and adults have taken to the craze to see who can garner the most attention.

"It starts by social media, just like the bottle flipping ," she said. "It’s all about the competition to see who can do the coolest flip and get the attention via social media."

While Trombley said these incidents have been harmless, officials are urging the public to call in any clown sightings in the area and not to assault these individuals.

"Just because they startle you but aren’t trying to hurt you or cause any harm, you aren’t justified in attacking them," she said.

Additionally, clown sightings near public schools are concerning to police officers since "kids are young and impressionable," Trombley said. Individuals are also encouraged to look out for clowns causing disturbances on private property, making threatening motions, or chasing anybody.

Even though officers are taking these calls seriously, Trombley said responding officers place priority on more serious dispatch calls.

"Anything our public reports is important to our police department," she said. "But just like with the increased calls about suspicious people who were playing the ‘Pokemon Go ’ game, it will just increase our call volume."

Follow reporter Emily Havens on Twitter, @EmilyJHavens. Email her atehavens@thespectrum.com or call her at 435-647-6214.