Fayette Co. Elementary School Warns Parents About Clown Sightings
MASONTOWN (KDKA) -- Masontown Elementary School sent out a letter to parents on Wednesday, addressing the concerns students have regarding three reported clown sightings.
"Hopefully this is just copycat behavior and nothing scary that's going to come of it," Masontown Elementary School Principal Lisa Haught said.
Haught says it is her job to make sure students feel safe and parents are informed. She reached out to the local police department for help.
"I asked him if he'd mind coming to school to help our students feel a little bit safer. They had some anxiety about coming out for recess. He was definitely on board in a heartbeat," Haught said.
"They asked if we'd do a couple extra patrols while the kids are here so car is visible around the school," Sgt. Scott Miller with the Masontown Police Department said.
Masontown Police say there were confirmed reports of three clown sightings this week. The first on Monday in the backyard of someone's home on Virginia Avenue. The second, Tuesday morning on Penn Avenue while parents were waiting with their kids at the bus stop. Then Tuesday evening, someone claimed to see a clown in Masontown German Park.
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"I think just another Facebook scam. Kids are looking for attention," parent Jeff Crable said.
"This clown thing is a joke," parent Kenny Raho Jr. said.
With other scary clown sightings reported around the country, some suspect it may be a publicity stunt for the re-make of Stephen King's movie "IT". However, King has been quoted as saying, that's not the case.
"I don't really think anything bad will come of it. I hope not," Crable said.
While police say parents should not be concerned for their kids safety, they are urging parents to stay vigilant, especially with small children, urging parents to have their kids come in the house once it gets dark.
Earlier this week, there were rumors of clown sightings in Westmoreland County, and reports of clowns harassing children in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.
On Sept. 19, a school in Alabama was locked down over possible clown sightings.
