Van Buren police warn against dangerous social media ‘Door Kicking Challenge’

Van Buren police responded to two separate incidents over the weekend

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Police are warning residents about a dangerous social media trend that has reached Van Buren Township, where teens are deliberately kicking in front doors of homes as part of the “Door Kicking Challenge.”

The trend originated on social media a few years ago and represents a new, dangerous twist on the classic “ding-dong ditch” prank.

Van Buren police responded to two separate incidents over the weekend in which homeowners reported that their front doors had been forcibly kicked open.

“What seems like a harmless prank is anything but,” said Detective Lt. Ken Floro of the Van Buren Police Department. “In both incidents, the homeowners were home, very startled, and very scared.”

Surveillance footage from one incident shows two juveniles approaching a home, with one recording while the other kicks the door before fleeing.

In a separate incident, the same day, three teenagers were caught on camera performing the same dangerous act in another neighborhood.

“Ding dong ditch is one thing, but kicking doors in is a whole different ballgame,” said neighbor JT Hayden. “One person could have a gun thinking it’s someone breaking in, and who knows what’s going to happen.”

Law enforcement officials emphasize that participants may face serious legal consequences.

Van Buren police have already identified one group of perpetrators and are actively searching for the three teenagers from the second incident.

“The last thing we want is for someone to get hurt,” Floro said.

This dangerous social media challenge has prompted alerts from law enforcement agencies across the nation.

Similar incidents have been reported in multiple states, with some cases resulting in property damage exceeding hundreds of dollars and others leading to potentially dangerous confrontations between residents and pranksters.

“They just haven’t kicked in the right door. It’s unfortunate, but I hope for their safety that they stop soon,” said Janna.

Law enforcement officials urge parents to discuss the serious consequences of participating in such trends with their children, emphasizing that what may seem like a social media challenge can result in criminal charges and put both participants and residents at risk.