Dangerous 'Door-Kicking Challenge' Reported By Bernardsville Police

BERNARDSVILLE, NJ — Local police are warning residents of a "dangerous" challenge made famous on social media that involves teens kicking or beating on doors before running away.

Recent reports of teens engaging in the challenge have been reported locally as recently as this week.

Bernardsville Police said they were called to a home on Seney Drive around 11:37 p.m. Monday the for the report of suspicious activity. The resident, who was not home at the time, said four people were seen kicking the front door of the home before running away, said Police Captain Dan Buttel.

The incident was recorded on the home's video surveillance system and sent to police for review.

A similar incident was reported to police on Tuesday morning by a resident of Ann Street, also in Bernardsville, who was also not home the prior night at the time of the incident.

Local police say the activity is related to a trending "door-kicking challenge" that is circulating on TikTok.

"The Bernardsville Police Department is aware of the dangerous social media TikTok trend called 'Door-Kicking Challenge' that encourages people to kick and bang on doors, often late at night while recording the act for TikTok or similar social media platforms," said Buttel.

Reports of the challenge are taxing police departments nationwide. In Florida this week, two teens were charged with felony burglary after they did the challenge to a home in Volusia County, CBS12 reported.

Police across the country, including in Alabama, Pennsylvania, Texas and beyond, are warning residents to be aware.

Local police advise residents to report such activity immediately.

"This behavior will not be tolerated, and this type of activity could potentially lead to criminal charges against the perpetrators," said Buttel.

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