Ads for Apocalyptic Flick Has Florida Community on Edge

Lawlessness becomes legal. Violence is tolerated. Mayhem is allowed.

That’s the plot of the Ethan Hawke movie “The Purge,” which takes place in a fictional America where all crime becomes legal for 12 hours each year. Some Jacksonville residents are concerned that might be the storyline someone is trying to write for real as ominous pictures of a masked man circulate on social media channels.

The social media post tells viewers to “get your squad ready,” and lists a date of Aug. 31 at 12 a.m. for “The Purge.”

Local police and media outlets have been overloaded with phone calls and emails about the post.

News4Jax says it’s been “flooded” with people asking about the post.

Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford issued a statement in hopes of putting some of the fears to rest.

“The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office takes all threats (or perceived threats) including those posted on social media, seriously,” he wrote on his agency’s Facebook page. “We are aware of The Purge posting (based on the fiction contained n a movie) and are looking into this.”

Rutherford went on to say in his Wednesday statement that his agency has “no credible information to indicate that this is a legitimate threat to the city of Jacksonville.”

Despite Rutherford’s assurances, some of the agency’s Facebook fans don’t seem so sure.

“To any of the delinquents thinking of participating in this: Coming anywhere near my yard and home could be seriously hazardous to you(r) health,” wrote one.

Former FBI agent Dale Carson told Action News Jax threats such as this one should be taken seriously and he likened them to approaching the “level of terroristic threats.”

“We need to be aware of it,” he told the station. “Not frightened by it but take reasonable precautions and if you hear something that is reason for concern, pick of the phone and anonymously call the sheriff’s office and tell them what you know.”

Jacksonville isn’t alone in facing “Purge” threats. Other communities around the country, including Detroit and Kansas City, Mo., have experienced similar social media occurrences in recent weeks. On Friday, officials in Louisville, Ky., canceled a football scrimmage after ”Purge” threats surfaced there.

Photo Credit: Facebook

Update: This story was updated Aug. 16 at 6:07 a.m. to include information about Louisville.