Monsters of Horror 7: The Real-Life Scary Killer Clowns
Let’s face it, clowns are downright scary for many people but in the 2010s their notoriety was ramped up to another level thanks to two real events that took place around the globe. These unsettling events were The Scary Clown Craze of 2014 and The Great Clown Panic of 2016.
So what were these events, why did they happen and what effects did they have on people and the society?
Let’s look at each event on its own merit and you’ll see the similarities and links that ensure that scary clowns have cemented their place in horror history.
The Scary Clown Craze of 2014
If you thought that clowns were only meant to be funny and entertaining, think again. In 2014, a wave of creepy clown sightings and incidents swept across the US and the UK, causing fear, panic and even violence. What was behind this bizarre phenomenon? And how did it affect the public and the clown community?
The origins of the craze
The first reported case of a scary clown in 2014 occurred in California, where a person dressed as a clown with a sinister smile and holding balloons was spotted roaming the streets of Wasco at night. The clown, who called himself “Wasco Clown” on social media, posted photos of himself in various locations, sometimes with captions like “come play with me” or “I’m coming for you”. The clown claimed to be part of a year-long photography project by his wife, but his eerie appearance and mysterious behaviour soon attracted attention from the media and the police.
Around the same time, another clown-related incident took place in Staten Island, New York, where a clown with a similar outfit and balloons was seen lurking near schools, train stations and cemeteries. The clown was later revealed to be a publicity stunt by a local film production company, but not before causing alarm and curiosity among residents.
These two events may have inspired copycats or pranksters to dress up as clowns and scare people in other parts of the country. In October 2014, several reports of clown sightings emerged in Florida, Indiana, New Mexico, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Some of these clowns were harmless, while others were accused of chasing, harassing or threatening people, especially children.
The craze also crossed the Atlantic and reached the UK, where the first clown incident was reported in Newcastle on September 30. A person wearing a clown mask and costume jumped out of bushes and frightened children on their way to school. The police arrested a teenage boy in connection with the incident and warned that such behaviour could lead to criminal charges.
The following days saw more reports of clowns appearing in different parts of England and Wales, some carrying knives or other weapons. Some clowns were also spotted in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The police advised people not to approach or confront the clowns, but to report any suspicious activity to them.
The impact of the craze
The scary clown craze of 2014 had various effects on the public and the clown community. On one hand, it created fear and anxiety among many people, especially children, who were terrified by the sight of clowns or the possibility of encountering one. Some schools even banned clown costumes for Halloween or issued warnings to parents and students about the potential danger of clowns.
On the other hand, it also sparked curiosity and amusement among some people, who saw the clowns as a source of entertainment or a challenge. Some people tried to track down or photograph the clowns, while others joined the craze by dressing up as clowns themselves or creating memes and jokes about them on social media.
The craze also had a negative impact on the clown community, who felt that their image and reputation were tarnished by the actions of a few individuals. Many professional clowns complained that their business was affected by the craze, as people became reluctant to hire them or cancelled their bookings.
Some clowns also faced hostility or abuse from the public, who associated them with the scary clowns. Some clowns tried to counteract the craze by organizing positive events or campaigns to show that clowns are friendly and fun.
The end of the craze
The scary clown craze of 2014 gradually faded away by November 2014, as Halloween passed and the media attention shifted to other topics. However, some isolated incidents of clown sightings or attacks continued to occur sporadically in different countries until 2016, when another wave of clown hysteria hit the US and spread to other parts of the world.
The reasons behind this resurgence are unclear, but some factors that may have contributed are:
- The popularity of horror movies or books featuring clowns, such as Stephen King’s It or Rob Zombie’s 31.
- The influence of social media and viral videos that encourage people to imitate or share clown-related content.
- The psychological appeal of clowns as symbols of fear or humor, depending on one’s perspective.
- The social context of uncertainty or unrest that makes people more susceptible to rumors or hoaxes.
Whatever the causes may be, the scary clown craze shows that clowns are not just simple entertainers, but complex cultural icons that can evoke different emotions and reactions from people. Whether they are seen as funny or frightening, clowns are here to stay.
The Great Clown Panic of 2016
Another case of global clown hysteria with strong echoes of, and probable links to, The Scary Clown Craze of 2014 was the Great Clown Panic of 2016.
If you were living in the US, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom or many other countries in 2016, you might have encountered a terrifying sight: a person dressed as an evil clown, lurking near forests, schools or other places where they didn’t belong. This phenomenon, known as the Great Clown Panic of 2016, was a case of mass hysteria fuelled by social media, viral videos and psychology. But what caused it and what were its effects?
The origins of the clown panic can be traced back to a few precursor events that happened in previous years. One of them was the Northampton clown sightings in England in 2013, which turned out to be a publicity stunt by three local filmmakers. Another one was the YouTube channel DM Pranks, which featured videos of a prankster dressed as a creepy clown scaring unsuspecting passersby. A third one was the Wasco clown sightings in California in 2014, which also involved photos of clowns posted on social media.
However, the clown panic reached its peak in 2016, when reports of clown sightings and attacks began to spread across the US and other countries. The first reported incident was in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where a clown holding black balloons was seen standing in the street. This was also a marketing ploy for a short film called Gags. But soon after, more clowns began to appear in different states, some of them threatening or assaulting people. The media dubbed them “creepy clowns” or “killer clowns” and speculated that they were inspired by Stephen King’s novel It, which features a demonic clown named Pennywise.
The clown panic also affected schools, as some clowns reportedly tried luring children into the woods or threatened to harm them. Many schools had to increase security measures or even close down due to clown-related incidents. Some students also used the clown scare as an excuse to skip classes or make prank calls. The police had to deal with numerous reports of clown sightings and arrests of people wearing clown costumes or masks. Some people also took matters into their own hands and confronted or chased away the clowns, sometimes with weapons.
The clown panic was not limited to the US. It also spread to Canada, Australia, the UK and many other countries around the world. In some cases, the clowns were more violent than in the US. For example, in early October 2016 in Varberg, Sweden, a teenager was stabbed by a man wearing a clown mask. As hysteria spread, many stores pulled down their clown memorabilia and costumes for the Halloween season. Even Ronald McDonald took a step back, taking an early retirement as the McDonald’s figurehead.
But why did people dress up as clowns and why did others react so fearfully? There are several possible explanations for this phenomenon. One is that clowns are inherently scary for many people, especially children. They have exaggerated features, such as large noses, mouths and feet, that create a sense of uncanny valley. They also wear makeup and costumes that hide their true identity and emotions. They can be unpredictable and violate social norms with their jokes and tricks. They represent chaos and disorder in a world that craves stability and order.
Another explanation is that clowns are influenced by popular culture and media representations. Clowns have been portrayed as evil or sinister characters in many books, movies and shows, such as It, Poltergeist, American Horror Story and Joker. These images have created a negative association between clowns and horror or violence in the public mind. People who dress up as clowns may be trying to imitate these characters or express their own dark impulses.
A third explanation is that clowns are a product of social media and viral sharing. Clowns can easily attract attention and generate reactions online with their bizarre appearance and behaviour. They can also create a sense of mystery and suspense with their posts and videos. People who see these posts may be curious or amused by them or may want to join in on the fun. People who don’t see them may feel left out or anxious about missing something important. Social media can also amplify rumours and fears about clowns by spreading false or exaggerated information.
A fourth explanation is that clowns are a reflection of social and political tensions. Clowns can be seen as symbols of protest or resistance against authority or conformity. They can also be seen as manifestations of anger or frustration with the status quo or the system. Clowns can challenge or mock the norms and values of society with their subversive humour and actions. They can also expose or exploit the fears and insecurities of others with their threats or attacks.
The Great Clown Panic of 2016 was a remarkable phenomenon that showed how powerful and contagious fear can be in the age of social media. It also revealed how complex and diverse the meanings and motivations behind clowns can be. Whether you love them or hate them, clowns are not just harmless entertainers. They are also cultural icons that can evoke strong emotions and reactions in people.
References:
- https://nypost.com/2014/10/14/creepy-clown-terrorizes-california-town/
- https://nypost.com/2016/10/09/creepy-clown-trend-dates-back-to-80s-but-this-time-its-different/
- https://time.com/3514155/clowns-florida-indianapolis/
- https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-34405967
- https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/oct/31/the-great-clown-panic-of-2016-a-volatile-mix-of-fear-and-contagion
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/schools-ban-clown-costumes-amid-scare/
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2014/10/15/the-definitive-guide-to-the-great-american-clown-scare-of-2014/
- https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/10/19/498536077/clowns-are-among-us-and-not-everyone-is-amused
- https://time.com/4518456/scary-clown-sighting-attack-craze/
© Colin Lawson Books