# Clowns in woods try to lure children with money, residents say **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 31, 2016, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567 "2016-08-31T14:27:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/221 "2016-09-29T04:51:33Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I was jokingly acting concerned in that post, but now I am seriously wondering if I should consider a different costume. It is still almost 5 weeks until Halloween. This silliness has just about got to peak way before that. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/222 "2016-09-29T11:29:30Z")
The person who’s birthday / Halloween party I’m going to is a fan of the movie the costume is from so I really wanted to wear it. I won’t put the mask on until I get there (I couldn’t drive with it anyway) so there shouldn’t be a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/223 "2016-09-29T14:09:03Z")
[Indiana Clowns](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.wthr.com/article/muncie-police-investigate-creepy-clown-reports&ved=0ahUKEwiP-em637TPAhUC6SYKHSAhDQYQqG8IHjAB&usg=AFQjCNHzut9dWBkaO24IXenyTyZf4xt3tg&sig2=ai1eLlHSlQN-PabWkbd7Xw) I like how police somehow had inside information about a clown meeting. I wonder what the rules of order are for a gathering of jesters? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/224 "2016-09-29T14:18:16Z")
Now I want to get like 5 guys of nearly identical build and dress them up as fully made out identical freaky clowns, then station them on some small winding road, about 6-7 miles apart, just around those bends. So its like you keep passing the same clown. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/225 "2016-09-29T14:32:06Z")
[They are infiltrating the good guys!](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.thv11.com/news/local/arkansas-police-officer-suspended-after-dressing-as-clown/326922450&ved=0ahUKEwiK5d_f47TPAhWJdSYKHRPhB1EQqG8IHTAB&usg=AFQjCNHHcq_A_CxK_LHvV66KDdNJ454CUA&sig2=IXX9qyFjO7GtN4bbrJU6EQ) Makes you wonder if that normal guy or gal next to you… Even a man who is pure of heart And says his prayers at night May don a clown mask When the circus calls And the autumn moon is bright… ---
**Author:** ![MacLir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@MacLir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacLir)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/226 "2016-09-29T14:34:37Z")
Where’s [Seeley Booth](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CpgdIPCT3s) when you need him? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/227 "2016-09-29T14:42:09Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > [Indiana Clowns](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.wthr.com/article/muncie-police-investigate-creepy-clown-reports&ved=0ahUKEwiP-em637TPAhUC6SYKHSAhDQYQqG8IHjAB&usg=AFQjCNHzut9dWBkaO24IXenyTyZf4xt3tg&sig2=ai1eLlHSlQN-PabWkbd7Xw) > > I wonder what the rules of order are for a gathering of jesters? A fellow says, “I call the meeting to order.” and gets smacked in the face with a pie. ---
**Author:** ![MacLir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@MacLir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacLir)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/228 "2016-09-29T14:59:38Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Clowns got college??? > > This is bad. It’s in Sarasota, on what was the Ringling Estate. :rolleyes: I had some classes at another college that has a campus nearby. Also, I lived near Gibsonton, which is where the carnival people (different from circus) winter. Picked up a few skills along the way, useful for annoying my daughter. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/229 "2016-09-29T15:15:18Z")
[This is](http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/man-wanted-for-murder-girlfriend-found-dead-after-gibsonton-standoff/1229388http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/man-wanted-for-murder-girlfriend-found-dead-after-gibsonton-standoff/1229388)damned suspicious. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/230 "2016-09-29T16:43:59Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > [This is](http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/man-wanted-for-murder-girlfriend-found-dead-after-gibsonton-standoff/1229388http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/man-wanted-for-murder-girlfriend-found-dead-after-gibsonton-standoff/1229388)damned suspicious. :dubious: That link is screwed up. You have the URL twice. The corrected link is below. That said, I have no idea how it relates to clowns. > **[Man wanted for murder, girlfriend found dead after Gibsonton standoff](https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/man-wanted-for-murder-girlfriend-found-dead-after-gibsonton-standoff/1229388/)** > > GIBSONTON — James Seagraves came to the front door of the mobile home and put his cellphone on the ground. He taunted the deputies who went there Thursday to arrest him on a murder warrant to pick... ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/231 "2016-09-29T17:03:17Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > That link is screwed up. You have the URL twice. The corrected link is below. > > [Man wanted for murder, girlfriend found dead after Gibsonton standoff](http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/man-wanted-for-murder-girlfriend-found-dead-after-gibsonton-standoff/1229388) Thank you. > [@davidm](#): > > That said, I have no idea how it relates to clowns. Exactly my point! ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/232 "2016-09-30T04:20:28Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > People are calling police if they even see a clown, regardless of if it’s doing anything threatening. This dumb panic has hit my town. The police are at least handling it correctly, by flatly refusing to take clown calls unless the caller says the clown did something illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/233 "2016-09-30T05:13:12Z")
[Michigan](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.mlive.com/articles/19377057/creepy_clown_sighting_reported.amp&ved=0ahUKEwjXw4eVp7bPAhWDbz4KHXbzAqIQiJQBCBswAA&usg=AFQjCNEP4BWBH_EjyL-UyDYVfHArtFb33g&sig2=_Rsr1CcOsby6vF7zr4i2qQ) [Clown on a hearse](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/articles/19378623/creepy_clown_caught_and_charge.amp&ved=0ahUKEwjx1ZL5p7bPAhUEID4KHaEuCdwQqUMIIDAB&usg=AFQjCNFx0E_MyoMS8bVHEQxdomQ7EE5Zkg&sig2=Lp9Qih1HFk6Y-9F-GgxmAg) [Missouri clowns “leading people to their doom”](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://fox2now.com/2016/09/29/no-truth-to-creepy-clown-reports-in-rolla-police-say/amp/&ved=0ahUKEwiGl7zuqLbPAhXLGT4KHU2nCksQqUMIKTAE&usg=AFQjCNED3Jr1kLXPzmylXJEQtuYS1a-N8A&sig2=-TMVpQL-Lj0DcerUgzXKeg) ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/234 "2016-09-30T13:42:27Z")
[9 things to know about clown hysteria](http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/09/11_things_to_know_about_this_w.html). And I am going to start writing a series of mysteries about Creepy Clowns: Clown on an Airplane Clown on a Bike Clown on a Cruise Ship etc. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/235 "2016-10-02T02:03:23Z")
Creepy Clown Hoaxes Lead to 12 Arrests in Multiple States > **[Creepy Clown Hoaxes Lead to 12 Arrests in Multiple States (Published 2016)](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/30/us/creepy-clown-hoaxes-arrests.html?_r=0)** > > The police crack down on pranksters taking advantage of hysteria that was fueled by social media and news reports. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/236 "2016-10-02T02:19:51Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > [9 things to know about clown hysteria](http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/09/11_things_to_know_about_this_w.html). > > And I am going to start writing a series of mysteries about Creepy Clowns: > > Clown on an Airplane > Clown on a Bike > Clown on a Cruise Ship > > etc. And, the terrifying, “Clown at the Circus”. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/237 "2016-10-02T03:34:07Z")
Pennsylvania clown sightings linked to stabbing, harassment [http://www.wfmj.com/story/33268877/pennsylvania-clown-sightings-linked-to-stabbing-harassment](http://www.wfmj.com/story/33268877/pennsylvania-clown-sightings-linked-to-stabbing-harassment) > [@](#): > > READING, Pa. (AP) - Bizarre clown sightings in Pennsylvania are nothing new in recent weeks, but this is: Criminal accusations. > > Police in Reading say they’re trying to figure out who fatally stabbed a 16-year-old boy Sunday night after someone wearing a clown mask may have provoked a confrontation. Police say they’re sorting through various accounts of the incident that include the victim wearing the mask, the stabber wearing the mask, and someone else wearing it. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/238 "2016-10-02T06:40:49Z")
[Plastic Clown](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.whio.com/news/local/piqua-police-called-clown-mannequin-street/OG3bC5LdlUqSeCOi0gOHaM/&ved=0ahUKEwjQya-zuLvPAhWCcz4KHTPSAqIQqG8IOzAK&usg=AFQjCNEDs_7xxBh416nIBCDlXExAyIKtig&sig2=i5DBwN3tNoOiET5bOWotHw) [Clowns arrive in Oregon](http://www.oregonlive.com/trending/2016/09/scary_clown_epidemic_reaches_o.html) [Pink Clown](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.firstcoastnews.com/amp/news/palm-coast-woman-spots-clown-lurking-in-backyard/328071976&ved=0ahUKEwiL55zdu7vPAhVIOD4KHUDbB-QQiJQBCBswAA&usg=AFQjCNEVUwdX35-3bL_0jGLUtd7pGritNw&sig2=bG2l_5k9-oid5V3p1EYZJQ) [Where’s the Clown?](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2016/10/01/lay-arms-plano-texasthat-evil-clown-miles-away&ved=0ahUKEwjH-dCOvbvPAhWKFT4KHcrQAGsQqG8IGzAA&usg=AFQjCNEiDzgfBu4tMlxg7NDLgecAl6MTwQ&sig2=jba2miXIlGwTXEg1tab_Lw) ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/239 "2016-10-02T07:09:13Z")
Ok, this is clearly a publicity stunt for some lame-ass movie. Or maybe to influence your vote in this election. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/240 "2016-10-02T22:19:32Z")
[Sci-Am has an articlet on why](http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-clowns-creep-us-out/) people quail at the sight of these jesterrorists. > [@](#): > > There are certainly other types of people who creep us out (taxidermists and undertakers made a good showing on the creepy occupation spectrum). But they have their work cut out for them if they aspire to the level of creepiness that we automatically attribute to clowns. > > In other words, they have big shoes to fill. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567.md?page=13)