Kettering Police to increase presence at Kettering schools

Kettering, Ohio – On Thursday, December 16, 2021, via Facebook post the Kettering Police Department (KPD) says that they will increase officer presence in Kettering schools on December 17, 2021. KPD says that they are increasing their presence in schools because of a TikTok trend that names December 17, 2021 “National Shoot Up Your School Day”.

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Kettering Police say that the TikTok challenge does not specifically target Kettering. KPD says they are taking “preventative measures” on all school campuses to ensure the safety of all students, faculty, and staff.

Multiple media outlets from around the country are reporting on the TikTok Challenge. Several indicate that the challenge started as a challenge to skip school on December 17, 2021, and then somehow morphed into a challenge to threaten to shoot up schools.

KPD is encouraging all parents to speak with their students to make clear that KPD and the Kettering School District take acts and threats of violence seriously and that “…serious consequence will follow such actions”. 

Kettering City Schools Superintendant Scott Inskeep issued a statement saying in part, "As always, the safety of our students and staff is our number one priority in the Kettering Schools. I have been in communication with Police Chief Christopher Protsman today, and while he and his department have investigated this so-called TikTok "challenge" and determined that this is not a credible threat to our schools here in Kettering, the Chief will have an increased presence of his officers at each of our buildings tomorrow. Chief Protsman wants to assure all of us that the Kettering Police Department is on top of this matter and, as always, will be in our buildings to support our staff, students and parents tomorrow. "