N.J. Cops Urge Against Clown Halloween Costumes After Threats

Police in New Jersey say the clowns aren't so funny anymore. Some police don't want local kids dressing up as clowns Halloween after a series of threats and hoaxes have creeped out some New Jersey communities.

In Roselle Park, police are asking parents to stop their teenage children from wearing clown costumes for Halloween parties or trick-or-treating.

The warning is intended to "avoid spreading panic and inconvenience to those wishing to enjoy Halloween celebrations throughout the borough," according to the department.

The New Jersey sightings have been part of a nationwide pattern of recent mysterious clown appearances also reported in South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland and elsewhere. Some reports have led to arrests, including a situation in South Jersey earlier this week in which a student made clown-related threats against classmates.

"Residents may be extra sensitive to evil or creepy clown attacks leading up to Halloween," according to a Facebook post from the Roselle Park department.

The warning comes after South Brunswick increased security at all schools following a threatening social media post including clowns, the superintendent said in a district-wide email.

A picture of South Brunswick High School was posted to an unspecified social media site along with the caption "...Wait for Wednesday." Wednesday was the first day back for students following the long Rosh Hashanah weekend.

Also:

• Local juveniles in Monroe Township this week reported being approached by clowns armed with weapons on three separate occasions in Monroe. One clown was reported as having a semi-automatic handgun, another a machete, the juveniles told police.
• A 12-year-old girl from Toms River has been charged with third-degree causing a false public alarm in connection with a hoax clown threat to Toms River Intermediate East, authorities said Wednesday.
• In the North Jersey community of Wayne last week, a woman reported seeing a creepy-looking clown in a wooded area near a school, but police were unable to confirm the clown was actually there.
• In West Deptford, police said they were aware of the social media posts regarding "subjects dressing up as clowns and planning to be around our schools."
• One person, meanwhile, was cited by Pohatcong police after video and still shots circulated on social media of a clown riding on the hood of a hearse, authorities said.
• Two people wearing clown masks in Fair Lawn allegedly hung out of a moving vehicle and yelled at people on state Route 23 early Wednesday morning, police said.
• Parsippany Police received a call Monday night regarding a person wearing a clown mask and carrying a plastic machete at the local Quick Chek.

The New Jersey State Police recently took a lighthearted approach to the reports, providing tips to children who could be frightened easily and saying: "We know that there are a lot of good, hard-working clowns right here in Jersey."

"Heck, you might even work with one or two [wink]," state police said on Facebook. "Of course, it’s probably their part-time job, unless you all work for a circus."

Police in Roselle Park, however, have delivered a stern warning to would-be clown pranksters and other characters: “Carrying anything that is perceived to be a weapon in public, into businesses or in and around schools exposes you to criminal charges and/or potential danger if it is confused for a real weapon."

"We are issuing this warning of possible exposure to criminal prosecution and civil liability for any suspicious or threatening clown behavior on social networks or in public, into any business or a school after a spike of incidents across the country."

Photo: Roselle Park police