Takoma Park police warn public about TikTok ‘Door-Kicking Challenge’

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. ( DC News Now ) — Police in Takoma Park are warning the public about a trend circulating on social media.

In a post on X on Wednesday morning, the Takoma Park Police Department said it wanted to make the community aware of a “disturbing trend circulating on social media, particularly TikTok.” According to police, the trend involves people kicking in doors of homes and businesses for “social media fame.”

The department told DC News Now that only two instances have been reported in the City of Takoma Park, but it wanted to alert residents as the cases are becoming more common.

According to police, on Oct. 2 at around 11 p.m., a resident in the 7400 block of Wildwood Drive noticed damage to their front door frame. The resident told police that they believed the damage occurred at some point during the night.

The second incident happened on Oct. 8, when officers responded to the 200 block of Grant Avenue for an ongoing issue involving juveniles kicking in the doors of homes.

Police said the trend is not isolated to Takoma Park and that reports suggest that it’s happening in cities nationwide.

In a release from the department, police noted that kicking in people’s doors is a misdemeanor crime, commonly referred to as “malicious destruction of property.”

The penalty for this offense depends on the extent of the damage and ranges from 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500 to three years in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

Police encourage people to secure their doors and windows, keep an eye out for suspicious activity, share information about the challenge with neighbors and talk to their children about the dangers of participating in challenges like this.

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