It's called "clowning" and it's a creepy epidemic where people dress up as scary clowns and play sick tricks on passers-by.
It has been happening in multiple states across the country for the past several months and recently seems to have "creeped in" to Ohio and Northeast Ohio.
Clowns in Hollywood have gone from happy to horrifying, making them one of the most popular things to be at Halloween.
It is why at Mr. Fun in Cuyahoga Falls they are stocking up on extra masks and costumes.
“Creepy clowns are hot in the news right now,” employee Hunter Riggs said. “So people are going to want to do it.”
But some may be taking it too far, with reports of so-called “clowning” popping up across the country.
It is a creepy epidemic where clowns have been seen, often at night and with weapons, playing sick jokes on passers-by.
At Inman and Johntson Streets in Akron, a woman claimed two costumed men swung a bat at her car.
Rumors of a clown terrorizing Firestone High School triggered an investigation this week. While in Cincinnati, some schools closed after a woman claimed she was attacked by a man in a clown suit.
Police are not laughing, with departments across the state now warning of arrests on the grounds of inducing panic or disorderly conduct.
Customers at Mr. Fun’s are being warned to be careful.
“We always remind the parents talk to their kids about safety,” owner Meralie Pocock said. “Think before you act, dress up in a scary clown menacing others will get someone into deep trouble.”
School districts are warning parents too. On Friday, parents in Kirtland were informed that they may be hearing more about the trend from their kids.