The increase in area clown sightings has now spread to the entrance of St. Mary’s College and the campus of Notre Dame.

A person dressed as a clown was seen near the school’s entrance around 11:30 Monday night, according to an email sent to the student body. Security and law enforcement searched the area but were unable to find the person. Notre Dame Security Police

Security and law enforcement searched the area but were unable to find the person. Notre Dame Security Police officers were also informed of the situation.

However, social media posts of clown sightings that spread throughout the Notre Dame campus did make their way to Notre Dame police. The department says there’s no threat to students.

Penn-Harris Schools also sent out a letter to parents about a threat made on social media. The message read: “We will be at all High schools this Friday to either kidnap students or kill teachers going to they cars … #WeNotClowninAround”. The school described it in the below letter as “non-credible.”

Mysterious clown sightings are on the rise nationwide, after beginning in the Southeast part of the country in August. The sightings and some subsequent threats on social media have resulted in official warnings, school closings, and more than a dozen arrests.