LISTOWEL – Parents are being reminded to speak to children and youth about the risks of participating in social media challenges following an incident in Listowel where someone kicked in the front door of a Brock Street West home.
Perth County OPP say the incident occurred on Saturday, Dec. 4 around 8 p.m.
According to the homeowner, who was home at the time of the incident, someone kicked in their front door and then fled the scene on foot.
Police located three suspects in the area – two 13-year-olds and a 14-year-old – all residents of North Perth. Police believe the youths were participating in one of the most recent social media challenges, which encourages kids to kick in the door of a stranger’s house.
“What parents and youth need to realize is that mischief is a criminal offence,” said Inspector Wendy Burrow of the Perth County OPP. “But more than that, it causes unnecessary stress for members of our community.”
In this case, the youths were referred to a diversion program, an extrajudicial measure under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Police say these extrajudicial measures “provide meaningful consequences, such as requiring the young person to repair the harm done to the victim.”
