World of the Bizarre

Creepy clowns appear across Bakersfield

By T.K. Randall
October 14, 2014

Image: AI-generated (Midjourney) Over the last two years creepy clowns have been turning up everywhere from Northampton in England to Staten Island in New York, but in this latest string of sightings in California the phenomenon seems to have been taken to a whole new level with multiple sightings across the city of Bakersfield.

Pranksters, some brandishing weapons, have taken to dressing up as clowns and posting photographs on social media of themselves hanging around street corners and next to local landmarks."There's a natural phobia of clowns," said Sgt. Joe Grubbs. "And, clearly, if someone is dressed up as a clown and holding a weapon in a threatening manner, that's going to frighten people."

Authorities believe that the most recent run of reports, which have totalled 20 within a weeek, can be attributed to other people copying the idea after hearing about it on the Internet.

It is thought that the bizarre phenomenon may have started with a couple who had been photographed in full clown costumes as part of an art project.

Source: ABC News

Tags: California, Bakersfield, Clowns