Local Authorities Say No Sightings of "Clowns" by Police

Stories have been circulating in local schools over the past week about "clowns" being spotted in the Effingham area and that the "clowns" have intended to do harm to others.

Police say there have been no arrests for the alleged activity, and police have not spotted any clowns.

Effingham City Police Friday issued a press release that there have been "zero arrests of any person wearing a clown costume."

The release went on to state that "participating in this (nationwide) fad by dressing up as a clown and committing any act with the intent to cause any person or persons undue alarm is a criminal offense." The release continues "The Effingham Police Department will take appropriate and necessary enforcement action to uphold the law if reports of persons dressing up as clowns with the intent to alarm and disturb are received."

City police say any suspicious activity can be reported by phoning city police at 217-347-0774.

We have been in touch with local authorities throughout the week regarding the reports, including authorities in neighboring counties, and no sightings of clowns by police have been reported. We talked Friday afternoon with Effingham Chief Deputy Sheriff Paul Kuhns about the matter. Kuhns said, "We investigate every call for service." He added, "If your intent is to dress up and cause harm, you will be arrested." He reiterated, "At this point, there've been no sightings (of clowns) by police."

As an added warning to would-be pranksters, Kuhns advised, "filing a false police report is also a crime."