Bristol Police Visit Schools Amid Concerns Over TikTok 'Threats'

BRISTOL-WARREN, RI — Police and school officials in Bristol-Warren are aware of a TikTok challenge that's sparking concern in districts across the country. The trend reportedly encourages students to threaten gun violence at their schools on Friday.

The Bristol Police Department said that although no threats were made at district schools or elsewhere in Rhode Island, officers and Chief Kevin Lynch visited all Bristol schools Friday morning to reassure students and staff that "there was no specific threat to Bristol schools and reinforced that officer(s) will remain vigilant in their constant security checks of our schools."

"While there have been no reports specific to Rhode Island or Bristol, the parents, residents, and school populace should be aware that the Bristol Police Department takes any and all threats regarding the safety and security of our students and faculty very seriously," the department said. "We have been working collaboratively with our education partners to increase our security measures and police presence as we move towards the holiday break."

The department encouraged residents to report suspicious activity to police.

While it's unclear where the rumor originated, a news release issued by the Tooele County School District in Utah said the original threat started as a way for students to skip school, but "morphed into something much more disturbing."

According to some reports, the December challenge is one of several in a string of monthly challenges stemming from the social media platform.

In September, another challenge called "Devious Licks" encouraged raucous acts of vandalism at schools. To participate in the challenge, students and TikTok users shattered mirrors, stole soap dispensers, fire alarms and football field turf, and intentionally clogged toilets, all while filming the antics to post on TikTok.

Patch editors Megan VerHelst and Alex Newman contributed to this report.