Smashed toilets, broken doors: B.C. Mounties say they're investigating what may have been a TikTok stunt
Extreme damage to public washrooms in Surrey, B.C., parks is under investigation and Mounties say they believe the vandalism may be connected to a social media trend.
Mounties said Tuesday the damage has been noted "over the last few months," especially in the city's Cloverdale area.
According to the RCMP, damage to public washrooms has included smashed toilets, stolen soap dispensers, and broken partitions and vents.
In their update, Mounties said the damage "could be related to a social media trend where youth film themselves causing damage to washrooms." Those videos are then sometimes posted to apps like TikTok, police said.
"These acts of vandalism are unacceptable and have caused significant damage to our much-needed public washroom facilities," said Const. Sarbjit K. Sangha in a news release.
Photos released by Mounties of the damage show one toilet completely smashed into small pieces and another removed off its base.
Other social media trends have prompted warnings from police in recent weeks. In Ontario, local police issued a warning late last month over an online challenge that encourages people to kick in the doors of homes. The warning was issued after a home security camera appeared to show three young people filming themselves doing the challenge.
A report commissioned by TikTok and published last month found that half of teens surveyed participate in online challenges to gain views, comments and likes. Forty-six per cent of teens said impressing others was one of their top reasons.
The survey found, however, that most teens don't take part in challenges. Only 21 per cent of teens said they participated in an online challenge of any type.
"We encourage parents to speak to their children about the fact that committing an illegal act, all for the sake of online popularity or likes, can have consequences now and into the future," Sangha said.
In relation to the Surrey incidents, Mounties said they'll be patrolling parks to keep an eye on washroom facilities. Anyone with information about the recent vandalism is asked to call 604-599-0502.
With files from CTV News' Hannah Jackson and CTV News London's Bryan Bicknell
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.