No joke: Mississippi county bans clowns 'til after Halloween

Creepy clowns are hurting real clowns

As the creepy clown craze grows and tensions rise across US with Halloween around the corner, concerned citizens call for lethal action while some urge calm

DEKALB, Miss. – A Mississippi county has had enough of the creepy clown craze, at least until after Halloween.

Kemper County supervisors enacted a clown ban this week, temporarily preventing people from dressing as clowns.

The Kemper County Messenger reports that anyone caught in public wearing a clown costume, mask or makeup could face a $150 fine.

Supervisors' president Johnny Whitsett says it's a matter of public safety because people could react badly if they get scared by a clown in their yard.