Reports of people spotted in clown suits late at night and multiple posts on social media involving clowns were made across New England Monday night.
Students at Merrimack College in Massachusetts were advised to "shelter in place" Monday night following a report of a suspicious person on the North Andover, Massachusetts campus that turned out to be a hoax.
Police in Lowell tweeted an update asking residents to remain vigilant, but do not believe there is any danger to the public.
In Dedham, Superintendent Michael Welsh sent out a letter saying multiple students in the district received threatening "clown texts." These messages have been reported to police. Police believe there is no threat to the public.
A spokesperson for the University of New Hampshire said around 10:15 Monday night a student reported a person in a clown suit speaking through a bullhorn.
Responding officers did not find the person and officials do not believe the person was making any threats.
A sighting was also made in Orono, Maine, Monday night. Police said they will handle the masked person accordingly.
In Connecticut, schools in North Haven and Naugatuck added extra security after a flood of social media posts involving clowns.
In Vermont, St. Albans police say two students received text messages about clowns from someone identifying themselves as "Clide Daklowns." Officers were able to trace the texts to another Vermont high school student, and determined there was no threat against schools.
