Hopatcong Middle School Went on Lockdown After Creepy Clown Sighting in Woods

HOPATCONG, NJ —Hopatcong Middle School went on a brief lockdown Friday morning after three students reported an apparent creepy clown sighting in the woods by the school, New Jersey Herald reports.

The students allegedly saw the clown at around 10:15 a.m., which caused the building to go on lockdown for approximately 20 minutes. Police searched the surrounding area and failed to find anything suspicious.

"We're being extra cautious with this,” Hopatcong Board of Education President Anthony Fasano said. “The district did not want to take any chances. We want to do everything to protect students and staff in our buildings at all times.”

The school returned to a normal schedule after police secured the area.

Creepy clown sightings have been a trend in New Jersey and all across the country in the past month.

A high school in Temecula, California canceled classes today because of creepy clown threats made last night and this morning.

Social media has especially contributed to the creepy clown craze, with many people expressing their fears and concerns on different media platforms.

To read more about the Hopatcong Middle School lockdown, check out the New Jersey Herald article.

Patch file photo