GLENVILLE, NY (WRGB) — The nation is reacting after an 11-year-old boy in Houston was shot and killed after a ding-dong ditch incident went horribly wrong.
As the case in Texas plays out, CBS6 spoke with law enforcement agencies in the Capital Region if they’ve seen any ding-dong ditch incidents and the safety concerns surrounding them.
Back in August the East Greenbush Police Department said they were seeing an increase in these incidents.
At the time they were asking the public’s help identifying the kids involved.
Chief Rudzinskii says the kids were identified and spoken to; since then they haven’t had any more cases reported.
Town of Glenville police Chief Stephen Janik says they too haven’t had any ding-dong ditch incidents reported.
“If you’re in a neighborhood or an area where you don’t really know your neighbors and you don’t know the surroundings, then you really don’t know who’s behind the door of that bell that you’re actually ringing,” said Janik.
There is a trend circulating on social media called the ‘Knock and Run’ challenge, more commonly known as ding dong ditch.
“The other thing too is if you’re making videos because you’re looking for reactions, there’s some culpability in creating something like that for online likes,” added Janik. If it’s shown that you’re doing this to get a rise out of somebody to create a dangerous situation, then really there’s some fault that could lie on you as well.”
Legal experts say those who engage in ding dong ditch could be charged with trespassing, disorderly conduct, or harassment.
CBS6 spoke with Aaron Pam, a Senior Associate at Tully Rinckey PLLC.
“There are dangers on people’s property that you might not be aware of. You know the fact is there are animals and dogs that can bite you on a person’s property as well as you know other forms of danger,” Pam said.
Local law enforcement say having a ring door camera or security surveillance systems when investigating crimes.
