Benton Co. sheriff increases patrols after recent clown sightings
BENTON COUNTY, Tenn. — Clown sightings across the country and the state have caught the attention of law enforcement. In the rural areas of Benton County, there have been three clown sightings in the last two weeks.
“Believe someone in a clown suit, angry clown suit, had come through their yard,” Benton County Sheriff Kenny Christopher said. “Didn’t know what they were carrying in their hands but it appeared to be a sword. We haven’t had anymore since then until yesterday.”
Deputies responded Thursday to the Big Sandy area after a teenager said his little brother was frightened by a clown running into the woods near their home. But just like the last, officers found nothing.
“I don’t put a lot of stock into what it was,” Sheriff Christopher said. “They probably seen something, but I don’t think they seen anything that is of any danger to the community. It may have been one of their friends.”
Although the sheriff says the recent clown sightings haven’t amounted to much in Benton County, he hopes his residents think twice before choosing a Halloween costume.
“I would just think if you would want to wear something else and stay away from the drama of this thing,” Sheriff Christopher said. “Because we don’t want people to be scared to bring their children out.”
The sheriff says those who wear the scary clown masks are putting their own lives at risk because there is no telling how another person will react after seeing the mask. But until the scary clown trend fades, he says his deputies are increasing patrols, especially as we get closer to Halloween.
“I would just encourage anybody to dress as something else this year, and let’s see if this goes away,” Sheriff Christopher said.
The sheriff says with increased patrols this month, clowns are likely to get stopped on Halloween night, just to be safe.
