Donald C. Cudmore, Chief of Police
47 Central Street
Georgetown, MA 01833
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Georgetown Police Monitoring Nationwide Scare Tactic
GEORGETOWN – Police Chief Donald C. Cudmore reports that the Georgetown Police Department is actively monitoring a nationwide scare tactic involving people dressed as clowns who are threatening to harm people.
In August, parents in South Carolina were alarmed after a group of people dressed as clowns were reported as trying to lure children into the woods. Since then, numerous sightings of individuals in clown face paint and outfits, often times wielding weapons or acting suspicious, have been reported throughout the country.
Last week, a nationwide threat was made over Twitter targeting schools by a clown-related group. A student from Georgetown Public Schools alerted police to the tweet, and although the threat has passed, the police department is actively monitoring any suspicious related activity. Then last evening, a Merrimack College dormitory in North Andover was evacuated after someone reported seeing an individual, dressed as a clown, carrying a weapon.
Similar incidents have been reported in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Nova Scotia, Canada.
The Georgetown Police Department’s School Resource Officer maintains a constant presence at the schools to ensure students, faculty and staff feel safe at all times. Additionally, Georgetown Police are working with their state and federal law enforcement partners to keep apprise of this situation.
“We want to commend the student for doing the right thing and bringing this information to the police department,” Chief Cudmore said. “While there is nothing to suggest a specific threat against Georgetown, the Georgetown Police Department remains proactive in our safety procedures. We encourage community members to be vigilant surrounding this issue, and if they see anything that causes alarm, report it immediately.”
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