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Not Funny: Town Bans Clown Costumes For Halloween Event
October 19, 2016
A south Alabama town that had schools on lockdown and arrests stemming from clown threats has banned clown costumes from their annual harvest festival and trick-or-treat event.
Mayala Smith, age 22 of Flomaton, was charged with making a terrorist threat in connection with “Flomo Klown” Facebook pages that prompted the lockdown of multiple schools in Escambia County (AL) in September. Several juveniles were also implicated.
Now, according to public post by the Flomaton Police Department, no clown costumes will be permitted during the Harvest Festival and Trick-or-Treat Around the Block “due to security purposes”. The family friendly event will be held Thursday, October 27 from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. in the downtown streets. Flomaton High School will also hold a pep rally at 7 p.m. at the downtown stage.
Comments
18 Responses to “Not Funny: Town Bans Clown Costumes For Halloween Event”
There was a post about people dressing as clowns and committing mass murder on all social media so saying it’s banned from this town is a good thing. Less people getting hurt from every angle. Some people want to question literally everything how about know it’s for a reason and move on.
I have to agree that this seems a little “out there”. If I am aiming to do bad things on Halloween, whether I’m dressed as a clown or Bugs Bunny really isn’t going to make a difference. Why is everyone making it so much about the “Clown”? It wasn’t a clown–it was a girl dressing as a clown. This is what we need to make sure our children understand–not “STAY AWAY FROM CLOWNS”, that is only going to traumatize the child even more. Kids are not going to think logically-they are only going to act upon what they have learned either at home or from their surroundings. If we talk to our children and explain things-they will be informed and won’t have these unnecessary fears.
I’m gonna chime in with Dave. I’m not sure this is even Constitutional. Did the town check with their attorney, Chuck Johns, first? Sounds like there may be a potential for a lawsuit. Can Flomaton afford that?
Also @Wow it is not a “program” it is not sponsored or endorsed by any licensed agency to do so. NO it is not a gov. holiday or “ran by the government” so quit acting like this is something that everyone participates in we live in 2016 not 1950.
@Wow Your trick or treating children offend me. Please do not let your children beg at my door or I will have to call the police and have them arrested for harassment. See how this might just get blown a little out of proportion here? It was not a clown that made those threats it was a lonely little girl who wanted some attention so please grow up and stop acting like someone with no sense at all.
Really folks? A little paranoid do you think?
I agree with BobC.
I am much more worried about my children being able to safely trick or treat then somebody’s constitutional right to wear a clown outfit so let themm go…. they can go and cry and boo-hooing about it all they want to but if it takes away from the safety of the children involved in the trick or treat program than it needs to be banned. There is no parent alive who would be more worried about freedom of excursion than cooks safety. And parents protecting kids is more important than anyone else involved in the program. The program is for the kids to begin with.
I agree; there are presently enough clowns in Flomaton, with no need for wannabes.
Ban a costume.?…here comes the legal lawsuits on constitutional freedoms being ignored……and it will not be nice
You also cannot wear costumes that might offend somebody. The University of Florida found it necessary to let their student body know that this will not be tolerated. Obviously not even the brightest segment of the population in the State was aware of that. I agree with Bob C – to ban the “media clowns” would be a good start to bring some sanity and common sense back into this country.
PS: Don’t dress up as a sultan, belly dancer, go together as a blond witch and the Big Hulk – who knows you might unintentionally offend the presidential candidates. .
Let’s just ban everything that might offend anyone. Grow up!
This is representative of so many circumstances/events in today’s world where ONE or TWO idiots doing the unacceptable or criminal acts causes the majority to suffer.
Amazing
Ronald McD. is already in hiding. I wonder what the Shriners are gonna do? I can’t believe the fear I’m seeing over clowns. My fear is texting drivers, lets step up and do something about that. I know a lot more people suffer from their results.
Well you have played right into their hands. Why let the hype of these ridiculous clowns take your town over. Just more running with your tails between your legs. Take charge and stand up for your rights. Or pretty soon every little thing will dictate how you live. Ignore the clowns.
Can we hear an “AMEN” for banning Media Clowns who appear nicely dressed on our television sets and media devices giving biased reporting on national news and the political scene in America?
Would be more difficult but banning Clowns and not the costumes is what’s needed.