FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 14, 2021

Contact: Debra Kubin, Superintendent (707) 472-5002 | dkubin@uusd.net

              Noble Waidelich, Interim Chief (707) 463-6241 | nwaidelich@cityofukiah.com

Ukiah Police Department and Ukiah Unified Warn Against TikTok Challenges

October 14, 2021 – Ukiah, CA – As has been occurring with many school and law enforcement jurisdictions across the country, it has come to the attention of the Ukiah Unified School District and the Ukiah Police Department the growing popularity of destructive and dangerous school-related challenges being circulated on TikTok. These challenges have been formulated into monthly themes that range from theft of school property, assaulting a teacher, vandalism, and even to the extreme of committing sexual assault.

Through the Ukiah Police Department and Ukiah Unified School District partnership, our dedicated School Resource Officer has already investigated a number of related crimes in our schools arising from the TikTok challenges. A few examples include theft, vandalism, and inappropriate videos. While both agencies respect and encourage our students to express themselves, engaging in this type of activity is both illegal and dangerous.

Parents, if your student is a TikTok user, please take a moment to speak with them regarding their participation in these challenges. Remind them that participation in these challenges can have long-lasting legal implications. If you are a student, please help out by not engaging in the TikTok challenges and by discouraging others to do so. We strongly encourage our youth to continue to express themselves innovatively, creatively, and most importantly, in a legal manner.

Thank you for joining with the Ukiah Police Department and the Ukiah Unified School District to ensure that this school year is positive, memorable, and above all safe!

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