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Graffiti with clown themes makes students, parents uneasy in Kaysville

Posted at 8:01 PM, Oct 06, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-06 22:01:15-04

KAYSVILLE, Utah -- Graffiti painted all over entryways at a local school that included language about clowns made some students and some parents feel uncomfortable.

Sixty children at Fairfield Junior High School were picked up early Thursday morning because they felt uneasy about being on campus.

The Davis County School District tells Fox 13 News the clown threats have upset people across the country, and some parents there didn't want to take the risk of leaving their kids at school. But others we talked with say they feel the school is the safest place.

"People these days have to understand what is a legitimate information source and what is not, and this is what's created the hysteria that we are facing today," said Chris Williams, a spokesperson with Davis School District. "We also can't overreact to something that's on social media that has no credibility."

Mother Christina Youngberg picked her children up after school.

"My kids did ask to be picked up and I thought, in my heart of hearts, I didn't feel like it was a real threat," she said. "I thought, if it was a real threat we would have gotten a text or a phone call."

There is a bigger police presence at the school now.

Kaysville Police has pictures of the graffiti and is working on a few leads.

"I think this is an important time to have a conversation with your kids," said Kaysville Police Lt. Paul Thompson. "Frankly, this is nothing short of bullying and cowardice."

The district believes they will know who vandalized the school in a few days.