'Devious licks' TikTok trend results in theft and damage across High Desert schools, officials say

Local school districts are seeing a rise in theft and vandalism on their campuses that is believed to be linked to a social media trend sweeping across the U.S.

With some officials describing it as a challenge, “devious licks” started on TikTok earlier this month with users showing off items they supposedly stole from their schools.

The viral internet trend has since morphed into more serious offenses with students being recorded damaging restrooms and pocketing more expensive items.

Schools in the High Desert have not been immune to the challenge, which districts said have cost thousands of dollars to repair.

In a tweet Monday, the Apple Valley Unified School District said numerous items have been stolen, including: Paper towel dispensers, toilet paper dispensers, mirrors, stall walls, soap dispensers, water faucet knobs, fire extinguishers, disinfectant wipes, sets of keys, classroom items and teacher’s personal items.

“In some cases, red dye has been thrown around the restroom,” AVUSD officials said. “This has led to the closure of some restrooms across campuses.”

Heather Griggs, superintendent of Oro Grande Unified School District, said incidents — specific to Riverside Preparatory School — involved students stealing soap packets out of restrooms, stealing a fire extinguisher from a classroom, “and even attempting to pull a toilet off the wall, causing extensive damage.”

Both Barstow Unified and Snowline Joint Unified school districts have reported similar occurrences, which officials said are costing money and resources that could go toward other uses.

Nate Lambdin, assistant superintendent of the Lucerne Valley Unified School District and principal of the middle/high school, said there had been a “few incidences on campus” but a message over the intercom appeared to have dissuaded some students.

“I reminded them that this is their school and we are proud of our facilities and proud of our students. Let's respect our school, our property and each other,” he said. “Since then, very few incidences.”

'Devious licks' started with mundane thefts

According to the KnowYourMeme website, the TikTok trend started on Sept. 1 when a user posted a video of themselves taking a box of masks from their backpack with the caption, “a month into school absolutely devious lick. Should’ve brought a mask from home.”

In this context, “lick” is a slang term for a successful type of theft that results in a rewarding payday for the thief.

The trend took off with a Sept. 6 video of a person pulling a hand sanitizer dispenser he supposedly stole from a school, which reportedly received more than 7 million views in two days.

Tiktoks then began surfacing of people unveiling school signage, a microscope and even a computer.

Students have since posted videos of themselves stealing larger items and causing damage to bathrooms which has led to more serious consequences in some instances.

Last week, police in Kentucky said eight juveniles had been charged with offenses related to the trend, including theft and vandalism, USA TODAY reported.

Local districts said students face similar penalties if caught.

AVUSD officials said offenders face disciplinary action, removal of student’s privileges to go to dances and other events, and possible felony charges if the stolen merchandise is worth more than $950.

Ryan Holman, superintendent for Snowline Joint Unified, encouraged the public’s help “in putting an end to the widespread vandalism and theft occurring at our schools in recent days.”

“A significant number of our middle and high school students are destroying fixtures in our restrooms, stealing school property, damaging items throughout our campuses and taking the personal belongings of our teachers and other staff members,” he added in a Sept. 17 video.

Holman said that the district would grant “grace” to students who return stolen items within the week.

TikTok tweeted on Sept. 15 that it would begin removing content and redirecting hashtags and search results related to the trend to their community guidelines “to discourage such behavior.”

USA TODAY reported that users have begun using alternative keywords, however, in an apparent effort to bypass the ban.

The trend has also perked the ears of Congress and brought scrutiny on the social media company.

Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal, of Connecticut, wrote to TikTok on Tuesday demanding that they do more, The Hill reported.

“You have a responsibility to delete videos, ban users, and restrict hashtags that glorify property damage and threats to school safety to prevent this destructive behavior from spreading,” he wrote. “While TikTok has taken steps to remove these videos, these actions were too little, too late and do not make up for the damage to schools across the country.”

Daily Press reporter Martin Estacio may be reached at 760-955-5358 or MEstacio@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_mestacio.