Keansburg Bans Clown Costumes This Halloween

Keansburg, NJ - Leave the clown costumes at home this Halloween, Keansburg is telling its public school students.

"Unfortunately, clown-themed threats have been a growing trend throughout the country ... until further notice, Keansburg School District asks that principals and building leaders prohibit clown costumes and any symbols of terror during this Halloween season," wrote superintendent John Niesz in a letter sent home to parents Tuesday. He did not elaborate what other "symbols of terror" meant. Read superintendent Niesz's letter below.

Keansburg is only the latest district in New Jersey and across the nation to ban clown costumes this Halloween: Montclair banned them, as did Clark and Scotch Plains/Fanwood. Police in Roselle Park did not specifically ban clown outfits, but they did ask kids to dress as something else this year. Incredibly, even Ronald McDonald will limit public appearances in light of the clown craze. Last week, three juveniles claimed to police they were approached by clowns with weapons (a handgun, a knife) on three separate occasions in Monroe Township. No clowns were ever found and no arrests were made.

And Toms River has arrested two juveniles for alleged fake clown threats: A 12-year-old girl in Toms River was charged with third-degree causing a false public alarm after she sent out an Instagram post that read: “Some people wanted Toms River Intermediate East Middle School; I will be there at 8:37 sharp on Thursday, October 6th 2016!!” with a series of emojis implying violence, police said.

And a 14-year-old South Toms River girl was arrested and charged after claiming she had been chased at a school bus stop last Wednesday morning, Oct. 5, by a clown with a knife.

Image via Tredyffrin Township Police, PA