Creepy Clown Spotted Near Hanover Park High School

EAST HANOVER, NJ – Police were called to the grounds near Hanover Park High School today regarding a "creepy clown" spotting near the campus, Tapinto reported.

The individual was allegedly wearing a clown mask, not a full clown costume.

Police cruisers scoured the campus and surrounding areas all afternoon, Tapinto reported.

As of Sept. 27, authorities said there were at least four reports of clown sightings in various parts of New Jersey:

• Three clowns allegedly came out of the woods and chased a child at 8 p.m. Sunday in Walters Park.
• Someone was seen dressed as a clown on Hudson Street at about 5 p.m. on Monday.
• A jester holding some kind of sword reportedly ran after a child on Shafer Avenue at 7:45 p.m. on Monday.
• A dark-colored truck was seen driving down Mercer Street with multiple clowns hanging out the window at about 9:30 p.m. on Monday.

Similar incidents have been reported in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky and Maryland.

Experts told Tapinto the trend of "creepy clowns" isn't new. They said these incidents happen every decade or so and become more frequent in the months leading up to Halloween.

While there are no laws against dressing as a clown, there are laws that prohibit harassment or causing public alarm.

If you have any information about this incident, call the East Hanover Police Department at 973-887-0432.

Photo courtesy of davocano/Flickr