'Crazy Clown' Threats Have Chicago Heights Schools on Edge

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — Chicago Heights schools are taking extra precautions Tuesday, after social media posts from someone purporting to be involved with a crazy clown gang.

District 170 has beefed up security in response to the threats, which have also been issued against schools in Hammond, Indiana, where police say they've received tweets and emailsregarding the clowns, WGN reports.

Sightings of people dressed as creepy, menacing clowns have been reported in 26 states, according to the Boston Globe. One was reportedly spotted in south suburban Worth on Monday.

Further, nobody really knows why, except that it has left a lot of people feeling on edge. The clown-hating phenom may have its origins in serial killer John Wayne Gacy, who used to don a clown costume and visit children’s hospitals uninvited or march in parades as "Pogo."

Clown hoaxes have led to at least a dozen arrests across multiple states, WGN reports.