Police: 'Creepy clowns' spotted in Palm Bay

[Dr Hobbitstein]

Source: Florida Today

Kelly Reynolds was walking her pit bull at dusk Sunday when her dog began to growl in the direction of the railroad tracks. She turned toward a wooded area and looked, but what she saw startled her.

“I saw them…two clowns just sitting there staring at me,” said the 41-year-old Palm Bay resident who was out for her nightly walk near Victoria Park around 7:30 p.m.

“I never run but I turned and ran back to my home as fast as I can. These clowns have to go away,” said Reynolds, who called Palm Bay police after the incident.

Police issued an alert to surrounding agencies and searched the wooded areas and railroad tracks near U.S. 1. The clowns were not located.

Read more: http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2016/09/26/creepy-clown-spotted-palm-bay-police-report/91117680/

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I, for one, welcome our new clown overlords.

I'm not sure what it is, but I'm kind of loving it.

[TygrBright]

1. Is it some kind of juggalo version of Pokemon Go? n/t

[Dr Hobbitstein]

2. I hope not.

I hate juggalos. Besides, they're a bit too unsophisticated to pull off something like this.

[TygrBright]

3. Dear Juggalo Overlords: I explicitly dissociate myself from this remark! n/t

[Dr Hobbitstein]

5. HA! nt

[cstanleytech]

4. Well its nice to know that Trump has a fallback job after Hillary kicks his ass. nt

[sarcasmo]

6. Creepy Clown on TV tonight.

[madaboutharry]

7. There are people who have a phobia, Coulrophobia.

It's a real thing. People can suffer severe debilitating anxiety attacks.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

8. There's people who have legit fears of everything.

I suffer from severe debilitating anxiety attacks, thanks to existentialism.

Clowns are human invented (and wonderful, I might add). What's not to like about clowns?

[radicalliberal]

11. There are also people who have Coulterphobia. n/t

[snooper2]

12. Reminded me of seeing Maury years ago and the guy that is afraid of peaches

[Initech]

9. Are these the same clowns that were terrorizing South Carolina a couple weeks ago?

[christx30]

10. It seems like either an Internet meme or a flash mob thing.

One person does it, then everyone starts doing it. Hopefully it'll die down soon. At least by November 1st.

[MicaelS]

15. I'm beginning to think it's Juggalos. n/t

[lonestarnot]

13. Don the con wearing one to next debate.

[Whiskeytide]

14. It's all fun and games ...

... until some clown gets shot. And some clown IS going to get shot.

[Old Vet]

18. I dont find this funny at all..........

And agree with Whiskeytide 100% that some think its a practical joke until one of these assholes (clowns) is fatally shot. And that appears where this is going.

[Whiskeytide]

20. I'm surprised it hasn't already happened ...

... most of the sightings have been in States with high levels of gun ownership - people who keep them handy, know how to use them, and are not usually shy about it. And, with all the allegations about "luring children" and overt threats of violence on Facebook ... "Judge, he was dressed like a clown" might be a pretty persuasive defense.

It's just stupid. Whether it's a publicity stunt or just a series of copy-cats ... it's asking for an escalation. I don't usually go in for blaming the victim, but damn.

I DO feel sorry for the actual "Birthday Clown" industry, though. I'm sure they're thinking twice about suiting up and going out in public these days.

And what's going to happen on Halloween?

[Nitram]

16. I think it's hilarious.

I mean, two guys dressed as clowns just sitting there and staring? Very creepy and possibly a bit scary, but certainly not illegal.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

17. Same. nt

[Old Vet]

19. Really, Do most think children would find clowns or a clown outside there home at nite funny........

This whole business of people dressing up as clowns and showing up mostly at dawn to dark around and near peoples homes is gonna end bad. I have a bad feeling about this, One can only hope when someone gets hurt and they will, It doesn't end real bad.

[Nitram]

21. Kids love to be a little scared.

That's why they watch horror movies, ride the roller coaster and tell ghost stories. Until I read about one of these clowns actually committing a crime or injuring someone, I'm going to consider it an amusing prank. have the clowns chased anyone or touched anyone?