List: Schools, police on clown-related closings, hoaxes, reports

Clown-related reports continue to climb in Western Washington.

Law enforcement says the sightings led to at least one arrest, a school expulsion, and a school closure. In this post you will find a list of statements from leaders about clown sightings.

Statement from Issaquah School District: Addressing False Report Regarding Alleged Lockdown

"Dear Issaquah School District Families:

"The Issaquah School District has been contacted by a number of individuals concerned about recent national and local news stories about sightings and social media postings related to “Scary Clowns” or “Suffolk Scary Clowns.”

"Today it was reported to staff at Skyline that their neighboring school, Eastside Catholic High School, was placed in lockdown due to a reported sighting of a clown near their campus. We have not yet confirmed the lockdown nor a possible reason for it with any Eastside Catholic staff. We are working closely with the Sammamish Police Department to investigate the credibility of the sighting, and at this time have no reason to believe this is anything more than a prank. Skyline’s School Resource Officer and Campus Security are actively monitoring the Skyline campus closely.

"We are communicating to families to remind you and your student that if they see suspicious individuals while at school, please have them inform an adult immediately. We also ask you to report any threatening social media activity that involves the Issaquah School District or our students to your school. In addition, please talk to your children about the importance of not interrupting the educational mission of the school with threats of any kind. We thank you for reminding them, too, that we also do not allow students to cover their faces; all students must be recognizable at all times.

"The Issaquah School District takes school safety and security seriously. We will continue to keep your child safe while maintaining our focus on education.

Statement from Mukilteo Police Department: Creepy Clown Activity Poses No Credible Threat  

"The Mukilteo Police Department has investigated several reports of suspicious activity where Mukilteo schools have been targeted by “Creepy Clowns.”  These “clowns” may identify themselves as “Oswald the Clown” or some other name and make nonspecific threats against schools.  This has created a circulation of rumors among school aged children within the Mukilteo School District.  After looking into these incidents and consulting with our regional law enforcement partners there has been no credible information that would cause concern for the safety to any of our schools or our students.

"Interim Police Chief Cheol Kang said, “Threats made to our schools of any kind are taken extremely seriously and are thoroughly investigated by our police department.  It is always my highest priority to protect our students and to ensure that they have a safe learning environment.”

"Students should tell an adult of any threats they may hear to their school.  Also, it is encouraged that parents report any information that that they hear to the child’s school as well as to their local law enforcement agency.  Parents should also talk to their children regarding the safe use of social media and interaction with people that they are not familiar with or following them on social media.

"Please direct any questions or concerns to Mukilteo's Crime Prevention Officer Myron Travis at crimeprevention@mukilteowa.gov or call at 425-263-8100.

Statement from Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies

"This morning Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 17 year old male junior at Rogers High School for a series of clown-related threats that resulted in the school being placed into a modified lockdown during lunch yesterday.  The suspect is being booked into Remann Hall on three counts of Felony Harassment and one count of False Reporting.

"At 10:22 p.m. on Monday October 3^rd, 2016, a call was made to 911 reporting that approximately 60 juveniles were "clown hunting" on the Nathan Chapman trail near Rogers High School in Puyallup.  The caller stated he was on the phone with a friend who was "clown hunting" and heard someone yell that they had been stabbed.  Numerous deputies responded to the area of the trail but were unable to locate a victim.

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"At 11:24 p.m. three female students from Rogers High School received a text message call from a phone number they did not recognize.  When the girls called the phone number a male answered the phone and identified himself as a clown.  The male named three students at Rogers High School and threatened to kill the three students during lunch; the male stated that if the girls did not bring the three named students to him, he would “kill them all”.  The girls immediately called 911 and reported the threats.  Numerous deputies, investigators, and detectives were assigned to investigate the threats and ensure the safety of students at school the following day.

"At 8:25 a.m. on Tuesday October 4^th, deputies contacted a male student at Rogers High School who had been named in the threat and had placed the 911 call reporting the stabbing; this student had also reported receiving threatening messages from clowns via Twitter.  The student reported seeing a person wearing a clown mask walking along a fence line at Rogers High School on the morning of October 3^rd, and seeing another person wearing a clown mask and carrying a knife on the trail along school property on the morning of October 4^th.  Numerous deputies responded to investigate the threats and ensure the safety of students at school throughout the day.

"The Sheriff’s Department later developed information that the male student who had made the 911 call reporting the stabbing, and who was named in the threats, and who had claimed to see a clown near school grounds with a knife, was the originator of the threats.  The suspect reportedly started the threats as a joke with friends and it “got out of control”.  Investigators interviewed and arrested the suspect at the high school this morning.

"Sheriff Paul Pastor:  “This arrest is the result of outstanding work by our School Resource Officers in cooperation with the staff at Rogers High School.  We will not tolerate threats to schools.  We will take such threats seriously and track down whoever is responsible.  I do not regard threats of violence as pranks.  Threats are criminal acts and students deserve protection.”

Statement from North Thurston Public Schools:

“We have received a number of reports today about "creepy clown" sightings and rumors. This social media phenomenon has no credibility in our community. Lacey Police have investigated at least one parent call and it turned out to have no threat (or clowns).

PLEASE -- we ask for your cooperation in assuring your children that they are safe, that schools are safe, that rumors are rumors not reality. Certainly if you or students have any specific information on threats or concerns of any kind, please contact your school principal or CrimeStoppers 1-800-222-TIPS. We understand what kids read and see on social media can be scary at times but rest assured we investigate all alleged threats and take student and staff safety seriously. To learn more about school safety visit our website athttps://www.nthurston.k12.wa.us/safety​"

Statement from Wenatchee High School: Wenatchee High School Will Close Friday, October 7

“Wenatchee High School will close Friday, October 7. While police continue to feel there is a very low probability of a real threat, Wenatchee School District officials decided to close the high school on Friday, October 7 because many high school students, staff and families felt anxious about attending school on that day.

“Written threats discovered in a girls’ restroom last week, coupled with recent threats nation-wide from “scary clowns,” caused concern among Wenatchee High School students and staff, and school district officials. Both threats named the date of Friday, October 7.

“Sports activities that were scheduled for Friday were shifted to Thursday. Other homecoming activities continued this week with heightened security. In addition to armed security personnel, procedures have been tightened to include no personal backpacks, bags, food, or drink allowed by anyone attending school events. Anyone attending activities wearing any clown-related attire will be removed and not allowed to participate.

“Many parents felt uneasy about sending their students to school at Wenatchee High School on Friday,” said Mark Helm, Executive Director of Student Services. “Some staff members were uncomfortable, too. We decided the best solution for this particular instance is to close the high school for the day.”

“All other Wenatchee School District schools will be in session as usual.

"Wenatchee High School will make up the day of school later this year, either on January 27, 2017 or June 12, 2017."

Cox Media Group