Ossining police ticket 'bozo' wearing clown mask

OSSINING - Police weren't clowning around when they got a report of a man in a mask Wednesday night. But that didn't stop them from having a little fun with the incident on their Facebook page, long known for having a sense of humor about otherwise serious incidents.

A caller apparently had reported to police there was a "motorist driving on Main Street wearing a clown mask and acting suspiciously."

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"In light of some bad things happening in other places, we decided to head to the area and check things out," police wrote. "Officer Lantz and Officer Cosme located the vehicle, a young man who was operating the vehicle, and the attached clown mask. He didn't have any weapons and we have no indication of a specific malicious intent, though he did have a police radio in his center console (which is illegal).

"This bozo was issued a non-optional invitation to the Town of Ossining Justice Court for having the radio in his car and sent on his way."

The department did give a nod to the nationwide concerns raised about threats on social media pages featuring clowns, some of which have named local school districts in Westchester.

"Hey moms, we know the next question - no, it doesn't appear this guy was involved in anything yesterday. We were able to confirm he purchased the mask late last night," police wrote. "It looks like the concept of Halloween has gotten away from us a little. We love a good prank, but too many people are freaked out right now. We'll be out all day, keeping an eye on the kids, protecting them from bad clowns, and helping them laugh with the good ones."