"Leave the clown costumes at home for awhile:" At least 2 clown-related incidents in southeastern Wisconsin over the weekend
FRANKLIN/WEST BEND -- As the "creepy clown" phenomenon continues to sweep the nation (and world), at least two police departments in southeastern Wisconsin are reporting clown related incidents from over the weekend -- and issuing warnings.
Franklin police say there were two incidents involving people "wearing scary clown masks in public."
The first happened Friday night, October 7th at the Franklin High School football game, and involved a 15-year-old student running out onto the field during the game while wearing a "scary clown" mask.
The second happened Saturday after midnight, near S. 35th Street and Ryan Road. Police say an 18-year-old Greenfield man was standing in the median, gesturing at passing cars while fully dressed in a "scary clown" costume.
Both the 15-year-old student and 18-year-old Greenfield man were cited for disorderly conduct for causing disturbances.
Franklin police had this to say regarding these incidents in a post on their Facebook page: "Based on what is occurring across the country with the rash of police calls involving clowns, it is definitely a bad idea to partake in this type of activity at this time. There are many children (and adults) that have a fear of clowns and there is no way to tell how someone will react to this type of situation. In closing, please leave the clown costumes at home for awhile!"
Meanwhile, police in West Bend say they handled a clown related incident Friday night as well.
It happened at Regner Park on N. Main Street near Park Avenue in West Bend -- around 11:55 p.m.
West Bend police say an 18-year-old woman from Hartford indicated she was in the area of N. 12th Avenue near Park Avenue when she spotted a "bloody shirt hanging from the exit sign for Regner Park."
The woman said she then saw a person wearing a clown mask standing in the wooded area nearby -- which frightened her.
Responding officers found only the shirt which had fake blood on it.
Further investigation revealed that three men -- an 18-year-old from West Bend, a 19-year-old from West Bend, and a 19-year-old from Cedarburg were responsible for placing the shirt in Regner Park. Police say one of the men wore a clown mask while making a Snapchat video as part of the "clown craze."
The men left the shirt on the exit sign because they "thought it would be funny."
All three were arrested for disorderly conduct and being in the park after hours. The 19-year-old West Bend man was cited for underage alcohol consumption.