# 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:** 16
**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 9, 2016, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/301 "2016-10-09T03:12:49Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Well, I went to the party tonight in my Killer Klown costume, and ended up spending several hours in a jail cell… JOKING, JOKING. Nothing happened. I had a good time and I didn’t cause any panics. > > I had to park a couple of blocks from the hall and had to walk those blocks in the clown outfit. A police cruiser drove by as I was walking, but kept going without even slowing down. Are you sure there was no panic? Better check the local news sites first. ---
**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 9, 2016, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/302 "2016-10-09T04:00:00Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Are you sure there was no panic? Better check the local news sites first. Well, the party did get a little rowdy when a bunch of drunk people played musical chairs and the last two players started fighting over the last chair, but there were no clown panics that I was aware of. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/303 "2016-10-11T01:15:45Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > [Clown versus bow hunter](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.wideopenspaces.com/killer-clown-with-knife-harrasses-bow-hunter-all-caught-on-video/amp/&ved=0ahUKEwjNktDFw8vPAhXTdSYKHV4rBv4QqUMIIDAB&usg=AFQjCNFpC3dRy189-22sx5IDC94dtiuCXg&sig2=aT_2wbXreOleyzlKmiimTw) > > [Clowns in New Zealand](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/nznews/creepy-clowns-spark-flurry-of-calls-to-nz-police-2016100615&ved=0ahUKEwiOg-G0xcvPAhXILSYKHQlXDBAQqG8ILTAC&usg=AFQjCNE9pC6HfAMhJK9BGpnYtdv8TWos-g&sig2=OibgrkoRcsTPGkaJbbMwig) > > [Scotland](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/terrified-ayr-parents-say-children-8992186.amp&ved=0ahUKEwjdpIqCxsvPAhUHJiYKHeU8CHoQiJQBCB4wAQ&usg=AFQjCNG7k3_kW5SVvFM2aMw59uWeebz7fw&sig2=tHZmaV_E3DsNATYMWbW9kg) > > [Wales](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/creepy-clown-spotted-near-children-s-playground-and-scaring-passing-motorists/story-29786682-detail/story.html&ved=0ahUKEwilhYHbxsvPAhVFJiYKHSVqBcYQqG8IHjAB&usg=AFQjCNHCfJhv4_DSJVKcKXsSbKr2SfCc0w&sig2=1aFd5zDu8uZzXCxZpGKh0A) [Ireland](http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/children-threatened-with-knife-by-killer-clown-in-antrim-park-35117880.html) Where next? ---
**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 11, 2016, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/304 "2016-10-11T01:56:30Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > [Ireland](http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/children-threatened-with-knife-by-killer-clown-in-antrim-park-35117880.html) > > Where next? Clowns take over the world on November 8. ---
**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 11, 2016, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/305 "2016-10-11T04:21:47Z")
[A clown tries a break-in](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.vladtv.com/amp/220675/clown-with-huge-knife-caught-on-camera-trying-to-break-in-house&ved=0ahUKEwiJwuav79HPAhVBFh4KHWyIBQUQqUMIHTAA&usg=AFQjCNGbxzl1wMQHqw3uXxKgYg2F3-zhQQ&sig2=GzQC9ML2p2uTiDwqQmuPww) [Alaska clown](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=%23&ved=0ahUKEwjxqdzM8dHPAhXBpx4KHRGTCtQQwqsBCCQwAg&usg=AFQjCNF1sHlk2z9QIx28jtvfnGP_UlkifA&sig2=EuiYdEL-np0RolD1r_wL8Q) I believe Hawaii is now the only state without clowns. ---
**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 12, 2016, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/306 "2016-10-12T00:53:04Z")
[Clowns oust Ronald McDonald](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/creepy-clown-craze-claims-new-victim-ronald-mcdonald-n664721) ---
**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 12, 2016, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/307 "2016-10-12T04:37:17Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > [Clowns oust Ronald McDonald](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/creepy-clown-craze-claims-new-victim-ronald-mcdonald-n664721) Insanity. These stupid kids think that they’re being funny. ---
**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 12, 2016, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/308 "2016-10-12T05:07:26Z")
Poor Ronald should enjoy his time off. Perhaps he could find it restful [here.](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.the-line-up.com/clown-motel-tonopah/&ved=0ahUKEwiird-svtTPAhVC5yYKHZohC0sQFggbMAA&usg=AFQjCNGe1McCghUBXc5DNxPSEf23W8Wklw&sig2=uqF2mKT3WOL7QHxg9Zg8Aw) ---
**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:** [October 12, 2016, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/309 "2016-10-12T13:28:36Z")
When T.S. Eliot wrote in The Hollow Man “'This is the way the world ends: Not with a bang but a whimper,” who knew he was referring to [this](https://www.google.com/search?q=cannon+with+BANG+sign+coming+out&biw=1103&bih=504&tbm=isch&imgil=GpUFYV6IFORUmM%253A%253BvuoEZQK97itXGM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.gettyimages.com%25252Fdetail%25252Fillustration%25252Fbang-with-canon-shooting-out-an-american-royalty-free-illustration%25252F77635686&source=iu&pf=m&fir=GpUFYV6IFORUmM%253A%252CvuoEZQK97itXGM%252C_&usg=__tnB7Q9O73JXL7HTqD4CzwLLrAKI%3D&ved=0ahUKEwjzkaeir9XPAhVFaz4KHXVVBVcQyjcIJw&ei=Pzr-V7P2F8XW-QH1qpW4BQ#imgrc=vfL2Z9165rFxXM%3A)? ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/310 "2016-10-12T14:30:27Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Well, the party did get a little rowdy when a bunch of drunk people played musical chairs and the last two players started fighting over the last chair, but there were no clown panics that I was aware of. Like they’d clown panic in front of you. :rolleyes: I bet after you left they were all like “Did you see davidm in that clown costume? I’m so clown panicking right now.” “I know, right? I’m clown panicking like a motherfuck over here.” ---
**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 12, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/311 "2016-10-12T14:36:57Z")
[Batman to the rescue!](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://mashable.com/2016/10/12/batman-creepy-clowns-uk.amp&ved=0ahUKEwjD47KmvtXPAhVCVyYKHevBAq8QqUMIHTAA&usg=AFQjCNE4NfRtslQpiNuBf1cRx88JRpqTDA&sig2=7agEWtddg63CbInpI0lGGw) ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/312 "2016-10-12T15:18:26Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > [Batman to the rescue!](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://mashable.com/2016/10/12/batman-creepy-clowns-uk.amp&ved=0ahUKEwjD47KmvtXPAhVCVyYKHevBAq8QqUMIHTAA&usg=AFQjCNE4NfRtslQpiNuBf1cRx88JRpqTDA&sig2=7agEWtddg63CbInpI0lGGw) Ah, so this was all a scheme of the Joker’s! Now it makes sense! ---
**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 12, 2016, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/313 "2016-10-12T16:20:38Z")
Article about clown panic from an urban legend perspective. > **[Clownpocalypse: urban legends in the internet age](https://www.spiked-online.com/2016/10/12/clownpocalypse-urban-legends-in-the-internet-age/)** > > What the global clown panic tells us about the politics of fear. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2016, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/314 "2016-10-12T20:23:28Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Poor Ronald should enjoy his time off. Perhaps he could find it restful [here.](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.the-line-up.com/clown-motel-tonopah/&ved=0ahUKEwiird-svtTPAhVC5yYKHZohC0sQFggbMAA&usg=AFQjCNGe1McCghUBXc5DNxPSEf23W8Wklw&sig2=uqF2mKT3WOL7QHxg9Zg8Aw) Holy guacamole! According to the sign, rooms there are $3950 per night!!! No wonder clowns are shaking down kiddos for pocket change! At least it’s pet friendly so [these guys](https://www.buzzfeed.com/hugofowl/best-clown-dog-pictures-80oz)won’t be left out on their own. ---
**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 12, 2016, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/315 "2016-10-12T20:37:54Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > Holy guacamole! According to the sign, rooms there are $3950 per night!!! No wonder clowns are shaking down kiddos for pocket change! At least it’s pet friendly so [these guys](https://www.buzzfeed.com/hugofowl/best-clown-dog-pictures-80oz)won’t be left out on their own. Tasteful clown decor does not come cheap. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2016, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/316 "2016-10-13T00:44:27Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > I believe Hawaii is now the only state without clowns. The clowns have gone international, as several posts above indicate. You need to start tracking them by country, too. ---
**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 13, 2016, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/317 "2016-10-13T01:24:32Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Tasteful clown decor does not come cheap. Cleaning up those damn pies. ---
**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 13, 2016, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/318 "2016-10-13T01:55:47Z")
The last state falls to the clowns: [Hawaii](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/33338335/clown-hysteria-hits-hawaii-prompting-security-fears&ved=0ahUKEwit1uXT1dbPAhWBqB4KHUqYDWMQFgi6ATAg&usg=AFQjCNHH_0kKxsuEbj2xuo36p_suRGuD1Q&sig2=ZCD_FEXyrtMPERBEJT7rIw) ---
**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 13, 2016, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/319 "2016-10-13T02:20:06Z")
[Clowns in the Netherlands](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-12-creepy-clowns-spotted-in-netherlands/&ved=0ahUKEwiEp86X2dbPAhVL1R4KHQ2EBjIQqG8IIDAC&usg=AFQjCNFyQEOIVtcsEw_qN5lemIN4SsSF6A&sig2=Bq3xQbTxviimfRFew_Hy8A) [Irish evil clown in Germany](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/creepiest-clown-ever-turned-up-9025588.amp&ved=0ahUKEwjRlKqv2tbPAhVBLB4KHc9CBb8QiJQBCBswAA&usg=AFQjCNH4OxOAq2uWyYzYrNoxCtRNLhcKOg&sig2=UmZ3sGFT252Pv_UsU6ZuOA) [Norway](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.thelocal.no/20161012/creepy-clown-craze-puts-norwegians-on-edge&ved=0ahUKEwjC5Keu29bPAhXDHh4KHbNFDeMQqG8IGzAA&usg=AFQjCNFWVd-33Uqnrfpyh8o_xiuw_fSpcg&sig2=xEm0IoIDuEeDGRBSjboJ1Q) ---
**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 13, 2016, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567/320 "2016-10-13T15:36:26Z")
[Excellent Vox article explains clown hysteria](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.vox.com/platform/amp/culture/2016/10/12/13122196/clown-panic-hoax-history&ved=0ahUKEwj03tu6i9jPAhVGdR4KHZmjDNgQiJQBCB0wAQ&usg=AFQjCNEYSRfu2MEe1wQuZje1X0L0uWD5Zw&sig2=nXmulZgtuprs6Um5bjes7A) [Meanwhile, in Sweden](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.thelocal.se/20161013/armed-clowns-threaten-woman-in-sweden&ved=0ahUKEwiEq6bNjdjPAhUKlR4KHXQWAyoQqG8IGzAA&usg=AFQjCNGG47IMAwPIQPGlR9iyOlSq7VWeyA&sig2=k_kwkrk2EJlbafm9JYL00w) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clowns-in-woods-try-to-lure-children-with-money-residents-say/764567.md?page=17)