Police may resort to spike strips, in hopes of flattening the tires of a fleeing suspect in a vehicle. But some desperate people continue driving, even on the rims.

That’s where Clown Strips have an advantage. Rows and rows of collapsed plastic “punching bag” clowns are slid onto the road. At the press of a button, they’re inflated by a compressed air cylinder. The suspect may instinctively try to run over the clowns, but there are too many of them. The car will be enveloped, ending the chase.
-- Amos Kito, Jul 10 2003

Very similar idea http://www.halfbake...olls_20*are*_20good
[mrthingy, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

Yes, but the spike strips are still preferred if you are attempting to halt a fleeing punching-bag clown.
-- wasted_mips, Jul 10 2003


I was thinking of something completely different for this idea.

Not for children's parties...
-- Cedar Park, Jul 11 2003


It would be cooler if they were filled up from the water mains, then you would have exploding water clowns or somthing.
-- Gulherme, Jul 11 2003


Fleeing suspects would surely escalate to mounting spike strips on the front bumper and laugh at the flaccid clowns.
-- FarmerJohn, Jul 11 2003


I thought this was going to be something you'd hang up at home to prevent clowns getting into your house, a bit like oversized fly-papers.
-- oneoffdave, Jul 11 2003


They did this with balloons on South Park when the kids tried to save a bunch of calves from becoming veal.

I like the line "The suspect may instinctively try to run over the clowns..."
-- phoenix, Jul 11 2003


What is it about clowns? Why do they inspire such loathing and revulsion?

Is it some kind of John Wayne Gacy thing?
-- snarfyguy, Jul 11 2003


Like [oneoffdave] I am dissapointed this is not in "pest:control." Have a croissant anyway.
-- ato_de, Jul 11 2003


"Clown strips... circusgoers horrified."
-- RayfordSteele, Jul 11 2003


Damn. Beaten to the punchline by Steele.
-- thumbwax, Jul 11 2003


I thought Park was there first.
-- FarmerJohn, Jul 11 2003


Technically, Cedar Park only referred to, but did not actually deliver, the punchline.
-- snarfyguy, Jul 11 2003


Can we alternate between clown strips and mime strips?
-- silverstormer, Jul 12 2003


(envisions nude mimes, faints)
-- Cedar Park, Jul 12 2003


(envisions nude mimes, perks)
-- DeathNinja, Jul 17 2003


(laughs at the flaccid clowns) (thanks FJ)
-- lintkeeper2, Jul 17 2003



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