Urgent Warning As ‘Door Kick Challenge’ Hits Local Towns

An urgent warning has been issued by the Dutchess County District Attorney's Office following local instances of the viral social media 'door kick challenge:' speak with your children and teenagers.

Bright light illuminates a house's red door at night.

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Another Viral and Dangerous Social Media Trend Hits Hudson Valley

Also referred to as the 'Door Knock Challenge,' and somewhat of a modern day ding-dong-ditch situation, a newer social media trend has influenced people, mainly teens, to approach random homes, 'aggressively kick or pound on the front door,' and then run away. Naturally, there are others there to record the challenge and post it to social media to get views.

While the idea itself, nor the trend aren't necessarily new, recent instances in the Hudson Valley have local officials issuing warnings.

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Multiple 'Door Kick Challenge' Incidents Reported in Hudson Valley

Imagine being inside your home and hearing slamming, kicking or pounding at the front door - many of us would react the same way, with fear.

The Dutchess County District Attorney's Office has issued a formal and urgent public safety warning regarding the 'dangerous door kick challenge,' citing incidents as local as Beekman, Poughkeepsie, and LaGrange.

violently kicking the door of an occupied home, especially while masked and during the overnight hours, is not a joke, a prank or harmless teenage behavior. To the family inside, it may appear that individuals are attempting to force their way into the home, which can be terrifying to the adults and children who are occupying the home.

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Parents Encouraged To Speak With Children About Dangerous Trend

Several agencies in and around Poughkeepsie including the DA, State Police, and Sheriff's Office, are working together to investigate multiple incidents in the Town of Beekman, Town of Poughkeepsie and Town of Lagrange. With regard to these types of behaviors, District Attorney Anthony Parisi made himself quite clear: 'let there be no misunderstanding: this is dangerous criminal conduct that could get someone killed.'

Someone who violently attacks the door of an occupied home cannot know how the occupants will respond. A frightened resident may reasonably believe that a home invasion is underway and may be armed or take immediate defensive action. What participants intend to record as a few seconds of social-media content could end with someone being shot, seriously injured or killed.

In addition to identifying those who actually made contact with doors on residential homes (through kicking or striking), the agencies investigating these incidents are also looking for ALL other parties involved. This includes those who drove to the locations, may have filmed the incident, anyone who 'acted as a lookout or otherwise assisted or encouraged the conduct.

Those responsible should expect to be identified, arrested and held accountable.

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On the other side of things, anyone who experiences this type of conduct or activity at their home should immediately call 911 while remaining inside in a secure location, are advised not to pursue or confront anyone, maintain all footage from a suspected incident and provide content to law enforcement before sharing or posting, and finally, keep record of any identifying factors like vehicle make, license plates and description of individuals involved.