The “creepy clowns” hysteria has struck again, this time in Kemper County, Mississippi. The County Board of Commissioners has passed a law that makes “it unlawful for any person of any age to appear in public in Kemper County in a clown costume, clown mask or clown makeup.” Violators of the ordinance can be fined up to $150.
The law takes place immediately and has sparked some controversy but county officials say it is necessary. Kemper County Sheriff James Moore, whose office will enforce the ordinance encouraged passage of the ordinance. Officials felt that the clown situation was “getting out of hand” and if people saw a clown in their yard “it wouldn’t be good.” The ordinance was signed into effect by Kemper County Board President Johnny Whitsett at 11:28 a.m. this past Monday and expires the day after Halloween.
Threats of clowns trying to lure children into the woods with candy or chasing them in the streets have increased as Halloween approaches. Also increasing is the number of arrests of people making false statements to police about clowns. There have been reports of people dressed as clowns standing on dark streets or in front of graveyards holding balloons and waving at passing cars. There have been at least 18 arrests made by various police departments across the southeast as the creepy clown craze continues. The numerous clown sightings and scares have even caused the White House to comment about the national hysteria. “Obviously, this is a situation that local law enforcement authorities take quite seriously and they should carefully and thoroughly review, you know, perceived threats to the safety of the community and they should do so prudently,” said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. Even the Department of Homeland Security has been on alert about the possible threat of someone committing a violent act against the public.
