If you haven't heard the news, creepy clown sightings have been taking over the internet. The phenomenon started in August and ever since, there's been dozens of reports of threatening clowns around college campuses and schools. Whoever decided to start this real life season of American Horror Story needs to be stopped immediately. How are we supposed to enjoy Halloween this year when we won't know which clown is out to get us?
A lot of people are dismissing the sightings and saying it's a prank or a hoax that's fueled by the media. Regardless if it is a giant prank or not, it's threatening and kids are not feeling safe. Police are taking it seriously due to the threat to public safety. There are even Twitter accounts where people can send in sighting locations, which are happening too frequently. Earlier this week, Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts, was in lockdown due to reports of an armed clown on campus. Police claimed it as a hoax and a suspect was not found but there have been many arrests since August. Students at Penn State swarmed the streets on campus starting a massive clown hunt. It's become so popular that it's a social media meme and a real fear.
There are videos all over the internet of people being chased and it's straight up creepy. The problem is, many have spoken out stating that social media may have amped up the craze. Do yourself a favor and never scroll through one of the many accounts recently created about the clowns before bed...you won't be sleeping. Their nightmare-inducing photos, videos, and documented sightings are enough to make you never want to leave the house. The gag behind someone dressing up as a clown makes this humorous and seem like a game, but videos of kids trying to stand up to them end in a chase because the clowns are carrying weapons. There are a lot of questions as to why this is happening but my main one is, WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?!
This is when I'm glad I go to school in a city because it would not fly downtown. But then again I'm already dealing with the crazy city people so maybe it's been preparation for the day a clown decides to roam around Boston.