GALION — Bucyrus resident Kaylee Hoy was sitting on the couch in her living room when she heard a knock on her window.
“I looked up and all I saw was red hair with a huge painted smile. Then he did that creepy clown laugh,” said Hoy of the clown staring back at her.
The police departments in Galion and Bucyrus have received numerous sightings of people dressed as clowns walking down city streets or hanging out in public places.
“We arrested two people yesterday that were dressed as clowns, for disorderly conduct,” said Bucyrus Police Chief Dave Koepke.
Koepke said while it is not against the law to walk down the street wearing a clown costume, it can become illegal if the person is acting in a threatening or menacing manner.
“The person we arrested at Aumiller Park was acting in a manner that caused concern for others at the park,” said Koepke.
Hunter Kegley talked to the young man dressed as a clown at Aumiller Park.
“I talked to him. I thought it was funny cause it’s dumb to do it at a park scaring little kids. He said do I scare you and I said not one bit,” said Kegley.
Kegley said the clown then walked away.
There were several reports across Bucyrus Monday night of someone tapping on windows and trailers, similar to the incident at Hoy’s residence.
“It is illegal for someone to come on your property and knock on windows, whether they are dressed as a clown or not. There are laws, such as trespassing and disorderly conduct, that we will enforce,” Koepke said.
Several people have reported sightings of clowns in rural areas such as Nevada-Wynford Road and Sulphur Springs as well as Galion.
“We have had a few calls of sightings of clowns, but no arrests have been made at this point,” said Galion Police Chief Brian Saterfield.
One of those sightings was near Galion City Schools late Sunday.
“People can wear what they want and go out in public. I am just afraid that someone is going to hurt. We do not want there to be a tragedy,” Saterfield sad.
Saterfield said people, dressed as clowns or not, will be arrested if they are breaking a law.
Both chiefs said that if a resident feels scared, they should call police.
