Police chiefs in a major US city have been compelled to issue an urgent public statement to quell a dangerous social media frenzy, denying widespread rumours of a lawless 'Purge' event planned for Halloween night.
The Columbus Division of Police in Ohio took to official channels to explicitly debunk viral online claims that a real-life version of the horror film franchise—where all crime is legal for a set period—was authorised to take place on Tuesday, 31st October.
The force's community liaison unit addressed the alarming hoax directly, stating: "This is not true. Please have conversations with your children about the dangers of participating in such activities."
A Wave of Misinformation Sparks Fear
The rumours, which spread like wildfire across platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram, suggested that authorities would suspend all criminal laws for the night, creating a dangerous climate of fear and anticipation amongst teenagers and young adults.
This is not the first time such a hoax has emerged around the Halloween period, but the scale of its reach this year prompted an unprecedented official response from law enforcement to prevent real-world harm.
Authorities Plead for Vigilance
The police statement emphasised the critical role of parents and guardians in mitigating the potential for chaos. Officials urged them to be acutely aware of their children's whereabouts and to reinforce the serious legal and physical dangers of engaging in any criminal behaviour, regardless of online rumours.
The force is taking a proactive stance, increasing patrols and monitoring social media for any signs of organised disorder, in a bid to ensure public safety and prevent the hoax from manifesting into tangible violence or property damage.
