OPS assures parents clown threats being monitored, though likely a hoax

Concern about threatening Facebook messages referencing clowns has Omaha police investigating numerous calls about threats of violence directed at schools coming from online profiles of clowns.

OPD posted this statement on its Facebook page Tuesday:

"We are aware of the recent reports of people dressed in clown costumes threatening to take a gun to Omaha schools. As soon as we were made aware of these threats we started an investigation. Anytime there is a threat of someone bringing or having a gun at school, we take those threats very seriously. Also, if the threat is made on social media it can and will eventually be tracked to the person responsible. If caught, the violator can face charges of disorderly conduct and/or making terrorist threats.

Thank you to all of the people who notified us of this threat. We have identified a party responsible for one of the threats and are working to identify the others. If you have information of anyone threatening harm in our schools we ask that you contact Crime Stoppers at 402-444-STOP or the Omaha Police at 402-444-5818.

Halloween is approaching quickly and given that this clown phenomenon has been occurring across the country and causing some communities to become fearful, we are advising at this time that people should consider the consequences of dressing up like a clown and attempting to cause fear in others."

Omaha Public Schools tells WOWT 6 News it has been working closely with police who tell them the threats are likely a hoax. These local incidents appear similar to reports around the country. Clown sightings have captured headlines recently as the eerie epidemic popped up on social media.

In Grand Island, three boys are accused of dressing up as clowns over the weekend and threatening people with knives. The teens were cited for making terroristic threats.

All this prompted OPS to send the following message to parents:

"We wanted to make you aware that several of our high schools and a few of our middle schools have fielded calls from concerned parents regarding students discussing reports of individuals with a clown persona committing potential acts of violence at area schools. We are aware that some other school districts in the metro may have received similar reports. Please note that this has also been a topic in national news and in the majority of instances has been deemed a hoax.

Nonetheless, we wanted parents to be aware that Omaha Public Schools (our Safety Department) is working with the Omaha Police Department to investigate these reports to assess their validity. Please know that student safety is our number one priority. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call your building principal."

Lincoln Public Schools sent out a similar message to parents on Tuesday.