'Dangerous Social Media Door Kick Challenge': Groton Police Issue Warning

GROTON, CT — Town of Groton police have issued a warning regarding a "dangerous social media door kick challenge."

Here's what the police department posted on Facebook:

In recent months, there has been an increase nationally in reports of the “Door-Kicking Challenge,” a dangerous social media video trend in which teenagers record themselves aggressively kicking a homeowner’s door late at night and running away. This is intended to mimic a home invasion to capture the resident’s reaction and post it online. Though it may seem like a prank, participants risk facing criminal charges and unintended confrontations with homeowners, and it can leave homeowners burdened with costly repairs.

We urge community members to refrain from this trend. The potential physical and emotional damage to all parties involved is not worth social media views. We encourage parents to discuss the consequences of this challenge with their children.

Homeowners should remain vigilant and discuss the trend with their neighbors to stay alert. Residents can consider enhancing their home's security by adding a doorbell camera or installing motion-sensor lighting to help thwart potential threats. If you are a victim of this trend, please document the incident and immediately report it to law enforcement.

Together, we can help keep our community safe.