CAMBRIDGE — Cambridge Police Chief Dan Dvorak is hoping recent rumors about creepy clowns coming to Cambridge becomes a teachable moment. The message: Parents and guardians should talk to their children about stranger danger.

On Sept. 28, Chief Dvorak posted on the Cambridge Police Department Facebook page, “I never thought I’d have to say this, but here it goes, ‘Parents, please talk to your children about creepy clowns.’ We really don’t know where this trend is heading, but it is potentially dangerous and needs to end. We had some calls but no verified sightings. If you see one please call 911.”

In late September, rumors swirled around the area that creepy clowns were coming to Cambridge. Facebook posts from concerned citizens stated that clowns were coming following sightings in Salisbury and North Carolina. Parents said that some of the clowns had contacted their children and asked them to come out and play.

“These clowns are trying to text children to meet with them. That’s scary,” Chief Dvorak said.

Rumors surfaced that a photo of a creepy clown was taken in a cemetery in Cambridge, but that picture was a hoax, according to the chief.

“You can spoof all kinds of things,” Chief Dvorak said. “It’s just not something healthy. It’s not good for the city.”

Despite the hoax, Chief Dvorak is not taking the situation lightly. In late September, Fox43 reported a 16-year-old student was stabbed and killed after a creepy clown arrived at a home in

Reading, Pa., and a fight broke out. The New York Times reported Sept. 29 that clown hoaxes lead to 12 recent arrests in many states.

“The public gets nervous when this is happening,” Chief Dvorak said. “It’s disconcerting to have people walking up to you with a mask.”

Anyone with viable information about creepy clowns in Cambridge is urged to contact police.