A sheriff’s office has warned they will not defend anyone dressed as a ‘creepy clown’ for Halloween if they are attacked while scaring unsuspecting victims (Stock image)
A sheriff’s office has warned that dressing up as a creepy clown for Halloween could get you beaten up or perhaps even killed as they confirm terrorized locals have a right to defend themselves.
According to a statement from Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, in Florida, officers ‘will not be there to save you if your intended target defends himself or herself.’
In their ‘warning to evil clowns and anyone considering creepy clown activity,’ they added that people dressed as creepy clowns could also face other penalties.
The sheriff’s spokesman went on to describe a terrifying incident on Monday just before 7am when an 11-year-old boy cycling to Pine Ridge High School was startled by a clown who jumped out from a bush.
He described the clown as 5 feet, 9 inches tall, with blue clown hair, rainbow painted face, red foam nose, a green, long-sleeved shirt, black pants and black boots.
The victim told Deputy Lococo that the clown jumped out and attempted to grab him.
No physical contact was made by the clown but the victim, fearful the clown was going to hit him, grabbed his metal ‘selfie stick’ and whacked the clown multiple times.
The victim told how the clown began to chase him for a short distance, then tripped and fell to the ground. The clown then went back into the bushes and out of sight.
Just last month, Pennsylvanian police revealed they were worried about a resurgence of the ‘creepy clown’ phenomenon that swept the globe last year and it may be because of the movie ‘It’.
The Pennsylvania State Police released a community bulletin outlining concerns of the strange costumed folk popping up this month.
![According to a statement (pictured) from Volusia County Sheriff's Office, in Florida, officers 'will not be there to save you if your intended target defends himself or herself'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/18/12/45748B5800000578-0-image-m-5_1508326305098.jpg)
According to a statement (pictured) from Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, in Florida, officers ‘will not be there to save you if your intended target defends himself or herself’
![Dozens of clown sightings were reported last year in states across the country (pictured)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/10/01/18/38FF1DE200000578-3817401-image-a-74_1475344230739.jpg)
Dozens of clown sightings were reported last year in states across the country (pictured)
‘With the fall of 2017 upon us, it is anticipated that similar ‘creepy clown’ sightings could be reported starting as soon as September,’ the statement said before mentioning the release of It as being a possible reasoning.
‘The movie, which is adapted from a Stephen King novel by same name, portrays an evil demon who takes on the shape of a clown named Pennywise, ‘that stalks kids from within the sewers and killing them when they least expect it.”
Across the country, clown sightings kept parents, children and even schools on high alert last year as dozens were arrested for their part in the chaos.
![Just last month, Pennsylvanian police revealed they were worried about a resurgence of the 'creepy clown' phenomenon that swept the globe last year and it may be because of the movie 'It' (pictured)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/02/20/43D7B6A400000578-0-image-a-35_1504379806174.jpg)
Just last month, Pennsylvanian police revealed they were worried about a resurgence of the ‘creepy clown’ phenomenon that swept the globe last year and it may be because of the movie ‘It’ (pictured)
![Jonathan Martin was arrested after hiding in a wooded area in full costume to scare people in Middlesboro, Kentucky](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/10/01/18/38FDDBEB00000578-3817401-image-a-59_1475342758956.jpg)
![Jonathan Martin was arrested after hiding in a wooded area in full costume to scare people](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/10/01/18/38FDDBE000000578-3817401-image-m-58_1475342752363.jpg)
Jonathan Martin was arrested last year after hiding in a wooded area in full costume to scare people in Middlesboro, Kentucky
At least a dozen arrests were made in response to the scaremongers who left people terrified with incidents including chasing people and confronting them in car parks.
Jonathan Martin was arrested last year after hiding in a wooded area in full costume to scare people in Middlesboro, Kentucky.
The Pennsylvanian officers are asking that people report suspicious activity to local police.
They’ve also created a ‘See Something, Send Something’ app to help ‘combat terrorism and other criminal activity.’
![A 12-year-old boy who waved from the passenger seat of his grandmother's car while in costume frightened residents in Richmond, Virginia, last year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/10/01/18/38FE5C2800000578-3817401-image-a-63_1475343138991.jpg)
A 12-year-old boy who waved from the passenger seat of his grandmother’s car while in costume frightened residents in Richmond, Virginia, last year