There are no “killer clowns” in Buckingham County, according to Sheriff William G. “Billy” Kidd Jr.

“We’ve gotten, like, 24 calls on this clown business and it’s tied up resources and the phone lines,” he said after issuing a press release on the “rumors,” which he said have been “rife” on Facebook.

Kidd said he issued the release in response to what was “perpetuated” on Facebook about the clowns “that have been reportedly spotted in Buckingham County.”

He said there has been “widespread internet chatter concerning clowns and a white clown van causing problems in various parts of the United States.”

“Sit and think about it with a rational mind,” Kidd said regarding the rumors. “People were getting on Facebook saying, ‘The sheriff’s department won’t tell you anything. Why are they hiding it?’ Because there’s nothing to tell. If it’s something I think you need to be concerned about, we will tell you. If it’s made up stuff, we’re not interested. We’ve got other things to worry about.”

According to the release, on Monday, at 8:36 p.m., the sheriff’s office received a call from a woman who “stated she had seen the ‘clown van’ near Gene Dixon Park. When questioned if she actually saw a clown, she stated ‘No.’ Nor could she give a reason why she thought this particular van was the same one referred to on Facebook. When asked for further information, the complainant hung up.”

There have been no actual clowns, “killer or otherwise sighted in Buckingham County,” Kidd said in the release. “Please keep the hype in mind with Halloween just around the corner. You may want to use discretion as to the costume your child wears.”