(FLORA, IL) — Wearing costumes with the sole intent of scaring people will no longer be tolerated in Flora and Clay County. According to an online statement Tuesday, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Flora Police Department commented that the Halloween season is a time that allows for children to dress up in costumes as different characters and people, have fun and go throughout the neighborhoods collecting treats from their neighbors. That said, the statement also noted that, “Anyone caught using this opportunity to use these costumes with only the intent to scare people and cause disturbances in the community will be arrested.” The Flora PD explained that such actions are no different than disorderly conduct or disturbing the peace if it’s done in a malevolent manner to purposely disturb another or disrupt the peace. The statement mentioned similar activity has been reported to local law enforcement, and that the subjects involved in those incidents were juveniles attempting to play pranks on their friends, but they are still being investigated. Residents were cautioned that when dealing with any suspicious activity and immediately report it to their local law enforcement agency.