Winnipegger says creepy clowns giving the performers a bad name

A local performer who has worked as a clown for 20 years says she's upset by the recent creepy clown phenomenon sweeping across the U.S. and parts of Canada.

"[Clowns] are ambassadors of joy. We're here to help, heal [and] give people laughter," said Deanna Hartmier. "This is our livelihood. How would they feel if this was their profession [being] attacked?"

The creepy clown phenomenon sweeping through the U.S. and parts of Canada over the last couple of months. It has led to reported clown sightings from Cape Breton to the U.S. South, over-reactions, false clown-attack claims, warnings from police to calm down and even terror-related charges.

For Hartmier, who performs as Dee Dee the Clown, and her husband, who is also a professional clown, dressing up as creepy clowns and trying to scare people is no joking matter.

• Creepy clown phenomenon stretches from Cape Breton to southern U.S.

Hartmier argues that people who dress up as police officers aren't real cops and people who are doing these creepy acts aren't real clowns.

Winnipeg clown says creepy clowns giving clowns a bad name.

8 years ago

Duration 1:54

A local performer who has worked as a clown for 20 years says she's upset by the recent creepy clown phenomenon sweeping across the U.S. and parts of Canada.

Local sightings light on facts

Students at Winnipeg's Sturgeon Heights Collegiate were sharing a picture that some were saying was evidence of the creepy clown phenomenon showing up here. But on closer inspection, it seems clear the grainy image does little to confirm an actual incident.

The St. James-Assiniboia School Division looked into the matter after CBC's requested comment and came to the conclusion that the photo was of a student in the field behind the high school, who was incidentally, taking pictures for a photography class.

Winnipeg Police say they are fully aware of the so-called clown sightings across North America but said the topic appears to be mainly associated to social media and occurrences in other jurisdictions.

Police said if anyone feels unsafe police should be called immediately, "clown or not."

Hartmier says she understands that social media plays a big part in how people get their information and she hopes that people will think before they share anything on their personal social media accounts.

"People are passing on incorrect information, they're not doing their actual fact finding and then they are just sharing this information and exploiting the fact," said Hartmier.