GREENSBORO -- Creepy clown sightings in North and South Carolina have some people on edge.
"It is a terrifying idea that someone could just jump out at you and attack you for whatever crazy reason they want to," said Charlie Burgose, a Greensboro resident.
Others are not so worried.
"I kind of think it's just sort of a hoax and people are just like, 'Hey, let's try to scare people,'" said Devin Tilley, a Greensboro resident.
There have been two sightings in the Triad area. One in Winston-Salem, Sunday night. The other was Tuesday in Greensboro.
There are some national rumors that the clowns are connected to the new Rob Zombie movie, '31.'
Without a suspect, police are left guessing but not taking chances.
"We can't stop the copycats from occurring, but what we want to let people know is that we definitely want you to call us before you try to do anything yourself," said Officer E.Y. Watkins with the Greensboro Police Department.
It's a good rule of thumb for any suspicious person.
"Whether it be clowns or somebody in plain clothes or even somebody that a child knows, we just want to make sure the parents reinforce what they've always taught their kids. If you don't know them, you stay away from them," said Watkins.
Hoax or not, people say they don't find the clowns amusing.
"I just think it's kind of dumb that people are doing it because it's not really funny. People take things way too seriously and some people doing it could get hurt," said Tilley.
Greensboro police say if they don't see some resolution to the issue in the coming weeks, clown sightings could change the way they patrol around Halloween.