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A new TikTok challenge has left a New Jersey homeowner with $700 worth of damage to their home. Over on the other side of the country, residents of Elk Grove, California, experienced at least eight incidents where teens caused damage to their homes. It’s also happening in many cities in between.
The “Door Kick Challenge,” which first went viral in 2021, has resurfaced on TikTok despite the damage it causes. Put plainly, according to law enforcement, it’s vandalism. The “challenge” involves kids running up to a home’s door, often with their faces masked, kicking it hard, then racing away. Why? For the views.
In New Jersey, East Orange police issued a public warning on Saturday about the “Door Kick Challenge.” They also reminded pranksters that it is a “serious misdemeanor crime and can lead to jail time and/or fines.”
“The ‘door-kicking challenge’ is not just a harmless trend,” police said. “Videos on TikTok suggest this challenge is happening in cities across the country, and it’s a dangerous activity that can lead to significant property damage and personal injury.”
Police are warning the public about the ‘Door Kick Challenge’
In California, the Elk Grove Police Department also issued a warning to the public.
“Over the past month, we’ve seen at least 8 incidents of kids kicking the front doors of strangers’ homes causing damage,” they wrote. “Earlier this month, three youngsters were arrested and last Friday, two 13-year-olds were taken into custody for causing more $680 in damage.
“We want to use this as an opportunity to remind our community that while trends like this may seem like harmless fun, they can have serious consequences,” the police continued. “Talking with your children about safety, respect for others’ property, and making good choices helps keep everyone safe and build a stronger community.”
One resident who suffered damage to his home by TikTokers performing the “Door Kick Challenge” had a starker warning.
“Somebody could come out with a gun, and you could never know, these kids could be dead just for a stupid prank,” Ronnie Monroe told CBS13 News.