The late-night “thud-thud-thud” of a stranger’s heel on your front door may not be a burglar trying to break in: It could be pranksters participating in yet another social media trend — one that police say could result in criminal charges.
The aptly named “door kick” challenge adds a forceful new twist to the “ding dong ditch” prank, replacing ringing a doorbell with well-placed kicks before the mischief maker runs away.
Police say the TikTok trend has ebbed and flowed around the country in recent years, but warn that the prank — which is often carried out when it’s dark — is no laughing matter.
“The ‘door-kicking challenge’ encourages individuals to kick in doors of homes and businesses for social media fame,” police in Takoma Park, Maryland, said this week in an advisory. “This dangerous activity poses significant risks to property and personal safety.”
Takoma Park police said the prank qualifies as a misdemeanor destruction of property offense.
Depending on how much damage is done, those convicted could face from 60 days to three years behind bars and face thousands of dollars in fines.
Takoma Park police told The Washington Times that they have received reports for two door-kicking incidents in the city so far this month.
On Oct. 2, a resident noticed the aftermath of the prank — damage to the door frame.
Another incident, reported Tuesday, involved a resident confronting multiple juveniles outside her home and taking photos of them to share with police.
A police spokeswoman said one of the juveniles confronted the female homeowner, yelled threats at her and took her picture as well.
“Unfortunately, no citations or arrests were made, as the juveniles fled the scene before the police arrived,” the spokeswoman said.
Elsewhere, authorities have tracked down some door-kicking youths in their communities, which have been documented from California to Texas this year.
Two teen boys in Florida were arrested and charged with burglary this summer after they were accused of kicking the front doors of four homes in their neighborhood.
The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said the boys admitted to carrying out the prank and admitted they were inspired by videos they’d seen on TikTok.
“First, there was a very good possibility that these young men could have been shot and killed by a homeowner lawfully defending the household,” Sheriff Al Nienhuis told Fox News. “Second, if this occurred, the homeowner would have been burdened with the fact he or she killed two teenagers who were participating in a stupid activity.”
In March, a group of five juveniles were arrested in the Indianapolis suburbs after authorities said neighbors heard banging and kicking on someone’s door in the dead of night.
Johnson County prosecutor Lance Hamner told the city’s NBC News affiliate WTHR that the suspects would be charged with trespassing. He also said at the time that the city was weighing whether or not to charge the young suspects with felony attempted entry.
“We have seen many different TikTok challenges turn out horrible,”Johnson County Sheriff Duane Burgess told the TV station. “This is one of those challenges that most definitely could cost a young person their life.”
The most serious incident of the prank-gone-wrong happened in Canada last year when a frustrated homeowner used a tripwire to exact revenge on fleeing youths.
After a door-kicking teen fell over during their escape, the elderly homeowner in British Columbia emerged from the front door and began attacking the boy.
The teen ended up being charged with assault, and the homeowner was charged with making a trap intended to cause harm.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.