BAKERSFIELD, CA - An online hoax is creating real fear in Oildale and now has the sheriff's department's attention.
It's a fake post circulating on social media called "The Purge." It's named for a recent horror film and suggests there will be twelve hours of unmonitored crimes starting Friday night in Oildale.
The sheriff's department says, like the movie, the post is scaring some, but it's complete fiction.
"Um, that's creepy and I'm going to stay inside," said Katie Larson who saw the fake post. When asked if she thought it would happen, Larson said, "Probably, it's Oildale."
"We are a little concerned because we know that some people have a hard time differentiating between reality and fantasy," said Ray Pruitt, Public Information Officer for the Kern County Sheriff's Office.
Pruitt says while the post is a fake, they are taking it seriously since it insinuates scenes from the movie "The Purge" will play out in Oildale starting Friday night. The plot of the movie allows people to commit all crimes including murder for twelve hours. And, all criminal activity goes unchecked by any law enforcement.
"What we want the public to know is that is absolutely not true. We enforce the law 24-7. This information is not accurate," said Pruitt.
The Sheriff's Office is investigating the fake post, but is not sure where it originated.
It did find similar posts targeting Texas towns, all false and feeding on fears.
"They said no it's not going to happen. It's just false information, but I don't know if it's true or not," said Jonathon Hernandez who saw the post.
Pruitt says deputies will be out Friday night and Saturday morning looking for anyone breaking the law. And, they may add additional enforcements to ensure what happens on the big screen, stays there.
"Most people will read this and understand it's just a hoax and it's not accurate information. It only takes one person to come across this information and act on it. We want the public to know we are taking it seriously," said Pruitt.
Pruitt says their detectives are also working with local school police in their investigation.
It's a fake post circulating on social media called "The Purge." It's named for a recent horror film and suggests there will be twelve hours of unmonitored crimes starting Friday night in Oildale.
The sheriff's department says, like the movie, the post is scaring some, but it's complete fiction.
"Um, that's creepy and I'm going to stay inside," said Katie Larson who saw the fake post. When asked if she thought it would happen, Larson said, "Probably, it's Oildale."
"We are a little concerned because we know that some people have a hard time differentiating between reality and fantasy," said Ray Pruitt, Public Information Officer for the Kern County Sheriff's Office.
Pruitt says while the post is a fake, they are taking it seriously since it insinuates scenes from the movie "The Purge" will play out in Oildale starting Friday night. The plot of the movie allows people to commit all crimes including murder for twelve hours. And, all criminal activity goes unchecked by any law enforcement.
"What we want the public to know is that is absolutely not true. We enforce the law 24-7. This information is not accurate," said Pruitt.
The Sheriff's Office is investigating the fake post, but is not sure where it originated.
It did find similar posts targeting Texas towns, all false and feeding on fears.
"They said no it's not going to happen. It's just false information, but I don't know if it's true or not," said Jonathon Hernandez who saw the post.
Pruitt says deputies will be out Friday night and Saturday morning looking for anyone breaking the law. And, they may add additional enforcements to ensure what happens on the big screen, stays there.
"Most people will read this and understand it's just a hoax and it's not accurate information. It only takes one person to come across this information and act on it. We want the public to know we are taking it seriously," said Pruitt.
Pruitt says their detectives are also working with local school police in their investigation.
