Police in Northeast Florida are warning families about a resurfacing social media trend that targets one of the most sensitive parts of a home: the front door.
The trend, known online as the “Door Kick Challenge” or “Door Knock Challenge,” involves teens kicking or aggressively banging on random residential doors, often at night, and then running away, according to News4JAX.
Law enforcement officials say the stunt can look like an attempted break-in to the person inside, especially after dark or when the person at the door is masked.
From inside the house, a hard kick at the front door can sound like someone trying to force their way in. That leaves homeowners reacting to fear, noise, and possible property damage before anyone knows whether the person outside is running away or coming through the door.
Police Say the Trend Can Bring Criminal Charges
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters told News4JAX that homeowners may believe someone is trying to force entry into the home. Waters warned that people naturally want to defend themselves and their families when they do not know the person’s intentions.
Law enforcement agencies said anyone caught participating could face jail time and multiple felony charges, depending on the circumstances. Possible charges include attempted burglary, vandalism, and trespassing.
Florida Deputies Are Warning Parents
The warning reaches beyond Jacksonville. In Flagler County, Sheriff Rick Staly also urged parents to talk to their children about the challenge, according to ClickOrlando. The sheriff’s office said teens have been covering their faces, kicking or pounding on strangers’ front doors in the dark, and sprinting away.
News4JAX reported that Staly described a masked person pounding on a door as something a homeowner may read as a real threat.
Doorbell Cameras Help After the Fact
Doorbell cameras and security footage can help police identify people after an incident. They do not stop the noise, fear, or damage while it is happening.
A forceful kick can damage a front door, frame, glass panel, garage door, lock, or entry hardware. It can also bring police to a neighborhood over something teens may have treated as online content.
Parents are being urged to speak with teens before the trend spreads further. Homeowners who experience it should stay inside, avoid confronting people at the door, preserve camera footage, and call law enforcement if they believe someone is trying to break in.