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Terrified residents have reported being terrorized by people dressed up in the costumes in more than ten states since August.
Among them was one woman who claimed to have been assaulted and worrying accounts of children being lured towards woods by the disguised figures.
In South Carolina, police have issued a stark warning to whoever is frightening the community.
'It's illegal. It's dangerous. It's inappropriate, and it's creating community concern so it needs to stop,' Greenville Police Chief Ken Miller said last month.
Comment: Anyone dressed as a clown is subject to arrest after suspicious incidents in Greenville, SC
His message came after four separate reports of clowns near play parks and apartment complexes.
Parents said the clowns were holding green lasers while children said they appeared to have large sums of cash, Fox Carolina reports.
One vigilante is said to have chased the clown away with a machete.
Officers have however encouraged people to take photographs if they encounter the clowns again, having been unable to find them since reports were made.
'We have increased patrol in areas where sightings have occurred and will be stepping up crime prevention in these apartment complexes and neighborhoods.
'We encourage the community to document and report suspicious activity to police.
Dozens of clown sightings have been reported in states across the country. Above, an illustration of the most recent.
'If there are sightings: take a photo, note person and vehicle descriptions, pay attention to direction of travel, and immediately call 911,' the department said in a police statement. I suspect it's a kind of low-level hysteria
Similar claims were made in North Carolina where police received complaints of a clown offering children treats. Another was reportedly spotted outside an elementary school in Winston-Salem, Fox News reports.
does anyone know why wearing a clown costume is illegal? is this furthering the hysteria of our country? I know luring kids into the woods is creepy, but on what grounds are people not allowed to wear a costume?