Creepy Clown Sightings Up: Orange County is Largely Spared Clownpocalypse

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — Social media has lit up with people watching for clowns. Clowns with balloons. Creepy clowns with sad frowns. Scary clowns with razor-sharp teeth. The hashtag #Clownpocalypse has emerged.

Memes and jokes are one thing, but if you find yourself on a dark sidewalk with a clown approaching, what would you do?

Though to date, few if any creepy clown sightings have been made in Orange County, one thing is sure: The standard rules of protect and serve apply to all residents who believe they may be in danger. The only clown reporting as of 4 p.m. Wednesday has been largely rumor-mill based. Still, officials advise residents to be aware of your surroundings.

"If you feel that you are under a perceived threat, do not hesitate to call the Orange County Sheriff's Office," Orange County Sheriff's Department Public Information Officer Lt. Mark Stichter said.

Clown sightings have ranged from benign creepiness to dangerous clowning around across the country, and though Halloween "fun scaring" is in the air, Stichter reminded residents of how to behave in the event of being "clown stalked."

If someone is following you — wearing a clown mask or not — pedestrians reserve the right to move about without worry of someone getting close enough to impede your movement or freedom.

"Don't engage, don't hesitate to call OCSD, and do get away as fast as possible," he said. "Whether someone is jumping out at you to cause playful scariness, to incite laughter or to actually cause you to fear for your life are different things."

Though the Orange County Sheriff's Office does not have an official policy against clowns, the crazy clown situation is one of "delicate balance," according to Stichter.

"People have the freedom to wear a clown mask if they want to, or dress up like a cowboy and go to the store," he said. "It's all about what they are doing. If they are being interactive or threatening, those are two different things."

This Halloween season, the creepy clown might just be the scariest of all costumes, turning a benign childhood icon into something psychotic and frightening.

The rules of human decency apply whether or not someone is wearing a clown mask. Or perhaps good clowns will put themselves into the mix, and make a balloon animal or two.

Remember to call on your Orange County Sheriff or local law enforcement to report any activity you believe is harmful or perceive as threatening.

Have you spotted a creepy clown in your neighborhood? Let us know!

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