Police Warn About Scary Clowns After Reports Of Child Luring

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Just weeks before Halloween, officials in Tennessee and other southern states are warning residents about scary clowns.

A tweet from the Tennessee Department of Safety reads, "Watch for clowns in your area—they could be child predators seeking kids."

THP says watch for clowns trying to lure children in to the woods. They are possibly predators. Call 911 or *847 pic.twitter.com/7AaEOj4WuE

— TN Highway Patrol (@TNHighwayPatrol) September 24, 2016

The recent clown attention started in South Carolina after complaints of clowns trying to lure kids into the woods.

"You have to wonder, is it a real threat or is it the fun of the Halloween season?"

Hunter Sanders says, "If you come out of the woods dressed like that and you come across the wrong person who's got a gun, it could be your life in danger, and that's not worth a little joke."

Police are asking the public to call 911 if they see suspicious activity.