Oswego State has not escaped the nationwide trend of unknown people dressing up as clowns, who are deemed “creepy” by those who witness it.

Across the nation, people are wearing clown costumes, causing fear from those with clown phobias. According to a Chapman University study, 6.8 percent of Americans said they are afraid of clowns. Some college students at Oswego State share this fear.

“They’re always smiling, but in a scary way,” said Nathalie Peña, a junior with a fear of clowns. “Even before this whole clown thing happened in schools, I always thought clowns were pretty scary.”

NBC reported on Monday that clowns are being spotted and arrested throughout the country. Some clowns carried weapons like hatchets and knives. In Green Bay, Wisconsin, a threat was posted on social media with a picture of a clown and police increased security at Brown County schools in response. Others have used text messages and social media to post clown related threats.

Though the clowns have been menacing other places, Oswego State University Police Chief John Rossi said they have not been as prominent on Oswego State’s campus.

“As far as I know, we only received one call in reference to a clown sighting,” Rossi said. “Our officers responded immediately, checked a large area…and couldn’t find anything.”

Rossi said he has seen photos on social media of other clown sightings on campus and believes the clown trend began as a publicity stunt by American musician and filmmaker Rob Zombie in reference to his upcoming movie, “31.” However, the film company has denied that they are associated with the clowns roaming cities and college campuses.

“It’s not against the law to be dressed as a clown and standing there minding your own business,” Rossi said. “If someone causes a disturbance or alarms a person by his actions, that could be a violation of criminal law. It could fall under harassment, disorderly conduct and even possibly loitering, based on the circumstances.”

If students spot a clown on campus, Rossi said to leave the clown alone if it is not bothering anyone.

“If the clown is causing alarm to people, call us,” Rossi said. “Based on the circumstances, we would take appropriate action.”

Rossi advised those who wish to dress up as clowns to be careful. Some students have taken to “clown hunting” with friends.

“When a crowd mentality takes over, sometimes common sense goes out the window,” Rossi said.

  The Oswego City Police Department posted a Facebook status Sept. 29, asking people not to dress up as clowns.

“The Oswego Police Department has been made aware of rumors circulating via social media of the potential for people to dress up as clowns (similar to what you may have seen in other areas) in an attempt to scare kids and/or adults in our community,” the post read. “Please note, this act could be considered a crime. Oswego Police will be on the lookout and encourage anyone who sees anything suspicious to contact 911 immediately.”

The Village of Phoenix Police also posted a request on Facebook that people refrain from wearing clown costumes.

“The clown controversy has caused a lot of havoc,” read the post, written on Oct. 3. “I have had high school kids and adults alike, express their fears…if someone hides behind a clown costume with the intent to cause fear, alarm, or commit a crime- we won’t be clowning around when they are apprehended.”

Peña said if she saw a clown on campus she would run away and then call the police.

Alexis Cabrera, an Oswego State sophomore, said he would also take flight in the presence of a clown, no matter what time of day.

“If it was at 2 a.m., I’d run,” Cabrera said. “If it was at 3 p.m., I’d run.”

Cabrera said his theory is that clowns are scary to people because they seem abnormal.

“They’re adult people but they give away stuff like candy,” Cabrera said. “They walk around with balloons and candy and are silly, and to most kids, that’s not what an adult is.”

Cabrera said he thinks someone will eventually take the clown trend too far at Oswego State.

“It’s better to shut down this whole thing before it gets to be a big issue,” Cabrera said.