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Halloween clown costumes frowned upon in parts of Alberta, Ontario

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[A jurisdiction located north of Toronto is warning residents to leave their clown costumes at home this Halloween. Didier Messens/WireImage via Getty Images]

Some regions of Canada have a message for trick-or-treaters this Halloween: Stop clowning around and leave the clown costumes at home.

The creepy clown trend, which has been sweeping across North America, seems to have made a dent in public consciousness. And now, clown costumes are no laughing matter for at least one Alberta school district and a region located north of Toronto.

Fort McMurray Public School District announced last week that showing up to school as a clown, creepy or otherwise, would be forbidden.

Supt. Doug Nicholls said in a statement that officials came to the decision after looking through various local and international reports of threats being made by people dressed in the trendy costume. Some students in Fort McMurray, Alta., were already spooked by online kidnapping threats posted on social media earlier this month. Four people were eventually arrested, but no charges were laid.

“I was informed that there were some students speaking about being unsettled about scary clown outfits,” Nicholls told the Edmonton Sun in an article posted on Oct. 21. “The bottom line is we want everyone to be comfortable with what is for many a very enjoyable event.”

In Ontario, York Region issued a news release advising residents to refrain from wearing “creepy clown costumes” this Halloween. "Keep your clown costumes at home,” the statement read, according to an article by the Toronto Sun published on Oct. 25. “Call 911 if you see anything suspicious or dangerous.“

There is no word yet on what affect this will have on clowns planning to attend children’s birthday parties.