Police are warning parents to talk to their children about a viral internet trend after two young men kicked in the front door of a Phoenix home and fled.
Phoenix police were called to the home near Tatum Boulevard and Cactus Road on Sept. 12, according to police spokesperson Phoebe Crump.
Security camera footage captured by the homeowner showed two young men who appeared to be teenagers approach the front door of the home, with one kicking open the double doors, according to Crump. Police were investigating.
While only the home was damaged in the incident, police say similar encounters could escalate and endanger home residents or the door-kickers.
"We ask everyone to help stop this dangerous trend before someone gets seriously hurt," Crump said.
The incident appears to be a new version of an old prank — ringing a doorbell and taking off — that has spread on social media.
According to Crump, the "door kick challenge" encourages people, often teens and young adults, to kick the front door of homes and record it to post it on social media.
Similar incidents were reported last summer in Minneapolisand Houston, and police agencies across the nation have warned the public not to continue the trend as it has gone viral.
"While some may view it as a prank, this behavior poses serious risks to residents and offenders alike," Crump said, "Door kicking can cause property damage, frighten families, escalate confrontations, and lead to criminal charges including disorderly conduct, criminal damage, or trespassing."
The prank could cause homeowners to believe that someone may be breaking into their homes, Crump said.
Glendale police and Tucson police said they haven't seen the trend in their community. Mesa police reported eight calls this year that involved damaged front doors, ding-dong ditches or individuals banging on front doors, according to Detective Jose Aguirre.
Glendale Sgt. Justin Ramsay warned that a front-door encounter could escalate and lead homeowners to defend themselves.
"Something as serious as kicking in a front door is extremely dangerous for everyone," Ramsay said. "These types of behaviors have serious consequences not only criminally and legally, but the perception of the victim could realistically lead to irreversible action."
Anyone with information about the incident in Phoenix or other incidents of vandalism can make a report to the police at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO in Spanish.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix home damaged by viral 'door kick challenge'
