Unfortunately this is not a joke, nor is it the plot of a new Stephen King novel.
For about a week now, in Greenville, South Carolina, there have been sightings of “menacing clowns lurking in the woods,” according to NBCNews.com. What’s weirder: It’s been mostly children reporting the clown sightings.
Supposedly, these clowns have been offering local children money in order to follow them down to a house by a pond in the woods behind the Fleetwood Manor apartment complex. Some adults have also reported seeing the terrifying figures at night.
Though nothing has been confirmed as of yet with regard to the veracity of these evil clowns, the manager of the apartment complex issued the following statement to residents:
“To The Residents of Fleetwood Manor
There has been several conversations and a lot of complaints to the office regarding a clown or a person dressed in clown clothing taking children or trying to lure children in the woods. First and foremost at Fleetwood Manor Apartments children’s safety is a top priority. At no time should a child be alone at night, or walking in the roads or wooded areas at night. Also if a person or persons are seen you are to immediately call the police.
Greenville County Police Department is aware of the situation and have been riding the property daily. Remember there is a 10pm curfew for the property so to ensure your children’s safety please keep them in the house during night hours and make sure at ALL times children are supervised. Anymore information that becomes regarding this issue will be sent out to all residents.
Thank you,
Property Manager”
The local police have also amped up security in the area.
Some think the clown activity in Greenville might actually be a promotional stunt. Rob Zombie’s new horror flick, 31, featuring—you guessed it—sadistic clowns is set to be released on September 16. It’s premiering September 1, though, in select cities.
Greenville is one of those cities.
So: is this all just a promotional stunt? A figment of the imaginations of some bored kids? A genuine threat to the community? We’ll have to wait and see.
