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Internet Clown Threats
From the Renton School District
October 4, 2016
You have likely heard of clown sightings or threats being circulated on social media throughout the U.S.
This activity, widely known as hoaxes, is believed to have started in August in South Carolina.
News stations and social media sites throughout the nation are reporting stories of people dressing up as
clowns and walking around communities “creeping people out” or anonymous threats being made on
Facebook and other social media. Some of the threats are directed to schools or other places in
communities. There are many reports in cities across the U.S. of teenagers being arrested for making
threats to schools or to other students, related to the clown threats.
Police have had no credible activity or information to believe this is anything more than an Internet prank
or hoax across the U.S.
Here in our district we have Renton Police Officers who serve as School Resource Officers assigned to
high schools and work to provide safety at other schools. We also have a close working relationship with
the King County Sherriff’s Office for our schools outside of the City of Renton. We also have school
safety/security officers at all middle and high schools. All of these trained professionals are vigilant and
work hard every day to keep school campuses safe so that teachers and students can focus on learning.
We are sending this message to all district families asking that they remind child/teens to always report
any suspicious behavior or threats directly to an adult at home or school. And that they stress the dire
consequences of being involved in making such threats, which are subject to criminal prosecution.
Renton School District takes school safety and security seriously. We will continue to keep students and
staff safe while maintaining focus on education.