For several months, scary clown sightings have been reported throughout the U.S. and Great Britain, and North Idaho isn’t immune to the growing hysteria.

Some reports say the clowns are carrying weapons, real or fake, while others claim clowns are trying to lure children. More reports, some found to be hoaxes, discuss clowns attacking people and vice versa. Still more are of creepy clowns holding balloons and waving at people or following them.

The fear of clowns, coulrophobia, is being heightened by these sightings and it’s tarnishing the image of professional clowns who work to make people happy.

"I hate it because I think people might get the wrong idea about the ambassadors of joy, and these are definitely not ambassadors of joy wreaking havoc on people's lives," said Fondra Magee of Coeur d'Alene, who has clowned for about 35 years. "The main thing is that authentic clowns bring smiles. They don't commit crimes. And honestly, it angers me that people would take advantage of a very real fear that people really do have of clowns and do these horrendous acts."

Post Falls Police Chief Scot Haug reported his department has recently received 14 calls from community members who are concerned about creepy clowns and what to do if they see one.

"One of them called to ask if he could shoot a clown," Haug said. "Bad things happen when you scare someone. We all do odd things when someone scares us. I'd hate to see someone get hurt."

Haug said Post Falls Police responded Wednesday to a call from a middle school where a student used a scary clown in a social media post. No charges or official reports were filed, but officers did go to the school to have a chat with the youngster about it.

"I do have some concerns about what's going on," Haug said. "The biggest concern is people see this as a prank to put on this scary costume and go out and scare people.

"If that person's armed, there could be injuries or death," he continued. "If you want to be a scary clown, go work at a haunted house, but don't go around town in a scary clown costume."

Haug speculated the creepy clown fad may be a movie stunt for the Rob Zombie film "31" that has gone viral through social media.

It could also be hype for the remake of Stephen King's "It," which features everyone's childhood nightmare clown, Pennywise.

Magee said safety has now become a concern as people are reacting to this widespread panic. She and her sons volunteer as clowns at local hospitals and bring joy to children who are sick, but now they have to be very aware of their surroundings.

"I wasn't afraid until one of my clown friends was advised by some police officers to not get dressed as a clown and drive, to go there and dress," she said. "That's got me a little nervous because people might think I'm one of those creepy clowns and that I'm after them."

Professional clown Racine Balough, who lives part time in Post Falls, said the last few weeks have been surreal. She said her fellow clowns all over the nation have received death threats, have lost jobs and are afraid to drive in their work outfits.

"This year's clownpocalypse throws into sharp relief exactly why we don't see many clowns anymore," she said. "Scary clowns are a cultural icon in the U.S. From Pennywise to Twisty, killer clowns are all over the place and traditional clowns have melted into the shadows. People who haven't laid eyes on an honest clown in decades are going bananas and mixed nuts over an irrational fear of clowns that pop culture created. Most children performers these days choose to mimic a licensed character or expand on a skill than to pick up the paint and the poise of a traditional clown, for fear of scaring small children."

She said she believes this fear is misplaced, that the people who incite fear in others by dressing as scary clowns are taking advantage of the Halloween ambiance.

"The clowns I work with are amazing people who love children. They are pastors, mothers, comedians and magicians," she said. "Please don't let this silly fad hurt the job I love and the people I admire. Please don't let your fear of an imagined enemy kill the magic of clowns."

Although a person can't be arrested for simply wearing a costume and waving, if that person chases or threatens another, then it becomes an issue. Coeur d'Alene Police Detective Jared Reneau said no official reports have been filed in Coeur d'Alene, but police are taking this seriously.

"If something's going on, just because it hasn't happened doesn't mean it won't happen," Reneau said.

"We have a program, 'If you see something, say something,'" Haug said. "Call us and we'll send someone out to talk to them. We don't want people taking the matters into their own hands."

The Coeur d'Alene Police can be reached at 769-2320. PFPD can be reached at 773-3517.