MANSFIELD — Mansfield Police Chief Ken Coontz issued a statement Thursday in an effort to quell the community’s concern with recent clown scares and the perceived lack of care on the law enforcement’s side.

“We are concerned about the safety and welfare of all citizens and encourage citizens to call (Mansfield Police Department) if they experience any criminal matter with anyone,” read the statement.

Without specifically naming clown garb, Coontz said any costume used for the “purpose to scare or harass others in this community” will be taken seriously, adding those individuals will be arrested if they are breaking laws and ordinances.

“You also cannot chase others and you cannot trespass on another’s property, or walk into the roadway to stop traffic, or carry dangerous weapons in public for the purpose of alarming others. These violations will be strictly enforced,” Coontz wrote.

Further, he said he is concerned for the safety of the person dressed as a clown or any other costume.

“(There is a) potential for misunderstandings when these persons are engaged in this behavior while carrying life-like toy weapons or props. This is not a scenario we want to expose to our citizens or officers,” read the statement.

Shelby Police Chief Lance Combs agreed with Coontz’s statement.

“The Shelby Police Department, and all law enforcement in Richland County, share the same concerns about the safety and well-being of our citizens,” wrote Combs in an email.

Ontario Police Department detective Jon Sigler reassured the public that the department would respond to any concerned caller who spots a clown, especially if a weapon is involved.

“Yeah, if there’s a call where there’s a stranger with an ax, we would go to that,” Sigler said.

Along with Coontz’s statement was a non-exhaustive list of criminal activities that should be reported to MPD or any other law enforcement agency when witnessed.

  • Menacing
  • Harassment
  • Stalking
  • Assault
  • Disorderly Conduct
  • Trespassing
  • Criminal Trespassing
  • Burglary
  • Robbery
  • Carrying a concealed Weapon Illegally
  • Carrying Dangerous ordinances
  • Aggravated Menacing
  • Aggravated Robbery
  • Aggravated burglary
  • Inducing Panic
  • Criminal mischief

Galion Police Chief Brian Saterfield said his department has responded to calls of clown sightings, but none can be verified. One allegation, he said, was found to be false.

“Not only have we not found any criminal activity, we haven’t even found them,” Saterfield said. “I’m not telling anyone not to call us. Please, call us if you have concerns. But also realize it’s not against the law to dress up like a clown.”

It is, however, unlawful to induce panic or to perform disorderly conduct, he reminded.

He said he is most fearful of a frightened individual causing physical harm to someone dressed up in a clown suit.

“I hope that doesn’t happen,” he said.

Ashland Police Department did not respond to a call seeking comment for this story.

National news on clowns

Stories across Ohio and the country have broken in recent weeks related to clown sightings.

Earliest reports began in late August when South Carolina children reported clowns tried luring them into woods. A CNN article described the news as “a rash of clown sightings.”

According to a New York Times article, 12 people have been arrested across the country in connection to the clown-scares. 

A Fox News article reported Tuesday that police are looking for a person dressed as a clown who is in connection with a fatal stabbing in Reading, Pennsylvania.