No Clowning Around: Plainfield Superintendent Issues Creepy Clown Rumor Warning

PLAINFIELD, IL — A day before a remake of the killer clown movie "It" was released — and a day after social media rumors of a school threat were found to be a hoax — Plainfield school district was warning parents and community members to be wary of creepy clown rumors. Superintendent Lane Abrell issued the notice to parents on Thursday ahead of the Sept. 8 release of "It," based on Stephen King's classic novel about Pennywise, "an evil clown."

"Because of the movie’s timing in the weeks before Halloween, and media reports of people already dressing as 'creepy clowns' around the country (as they did this time last year), I strongly encourage you to be very cautious about rumors you hear or see on social media about 'creepy clowns,'" Abrell said.

His warning echoed one released by police in Pennsylvania last week, who said, "It is anticipated that similar 'creepy clown' sightings could be reported starting as soon as September," just like last year, when sightings of scary clowns — and rumors of sightings — led to panic. Abrell asked parents to make their kids aware that posting make-believe clown threats could land them in trouble.

• Movies Out This Weekend: 'It,' 'Home Again' And 'Rebel In The Rye'
• Creepy Clowns Making A Comeback In Illinois?
• From Laughing to Screaming: The History of Clowns and Terror

"Please make sure your students understand that any behavior that causes a disruption to the school day can result in school discipline," he said. "This includes behavior out of school or posted on social media. We will not tolerate anything that may make our students and staff feel unsafe at school or work." (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Abrell added that school officials remain in close contact with law enforcement "to provide accurate information as needed, and to always protect our students and staff."

Last year in Plainfield, a social media threat — in the form of a photo of a clown standing in front of a Plainfield South High School — was nothing more than a hoax, school officials said. Even an "Illinois Clown" Twitter account looked to calm fears with a post saying, "Students are spreading these rumors, hoping for a day off." And that was just one of many creepy clown-related rumors circulating in Illinois last fall.

Abrell's words of caution came just a day after a rumor of a school threat — fueled in part by a now-deleted Facebook post urging parents to keep their kids home because of a "rumor that a student has threatened to shoot up the school tomorrow" — at Plainfield Central. Police and school officials investigated and found the rumor to be unfounded.

The district's CAPE organization, which stands for Coordination of Administration and Parent Groups for Educational Efficiency, also posted an "open letter" to parents on Wednesday asking for help keeping rumors in check.

"As a member of the CAPE Organization we like to spread the word of all the happenings in our District 202 as well as the community. We also assist in getting the correct information out in order to squash rumors," CAPE President Betsey Vinson wrote. "It is quite troubling that that not only some of our students are spreading fictitious rumors, but some adults are feeding this frenzy. As a result, fuel is added to the fire which perpetuates the rumor. This causes undue anxiety for students as well as their parents."

The open letter asked parents to "always check the facts before discussing with other parents or posting unsubstantiated information on Facebook," adding, "The Plainfield School District is devoted to providing a safe environment for all students. Contact the district directly if you have a concern about something you read online or may have heard."

Photo: A photo showing a clown in front of Plainfield South High School made the social media rounds last fall. (via Patch file)