The Sedona Police Department is continuing its investigation into recent thefts and vandalism at Sedona Red Rock High and Middle School.
A total of 12 students were found to have taken part in what’s called the “Devious Licks TikTok Challenge,” a dare created by users of the TikTok social media app in which students and others are encouraged to vandalize and steal property from schools.
According to Sedona-Oak Creek School District Superintendent Dennis Dearden, eight students were suspended for five days on Friday, Sept. 17, and another four on Monday, Sept. 20.
These included six eighth-graders, four freshmen, one sophomore and one junior.
Items stolen included a teacher’s laptop, an audio “ball” used in classrooms, faculty classroom phones, rest room soap and toilet paper dispensers, a fire extinguisher as well as other items the school is still assessing. The fire extinguisher was found at Big Park Community School, along with a pair of broken windows there.
The vandalism ranges from $25 to over $2,000 in damages. A total dollar amount won’t be known until the investigation is complete.
“Everything has been calm and back to normal,” Dearden said this week. “I think our students were very clear on our message, that this behavior will not be tolerated in our district.”
Dearden asked students with information to talk to administrators. They had more than 50 students come forward.
SPD’s Sgt. Michael Dominguez said that as of Friday, Sept. 24, several of the dozen students suspended from school had been referred to the Yavapai County Juvenile Probation Department. None were officially arrested. They will, however, go through the juvenile court system with a judge determining any potential punishment.
He said the police department will conduct more interviews this week with potentially more students being referred to juvenile probation. There had been talk that search warrants had been used in this case but he said that is not true. Their investigation has been based on interviews and videos.
“I’m not surprised by anything these days when it comes to social media,” Dominguez said. “I hope these students will learn from their mistakes.”
In a letter sent to parents, Dearden wrote, “It is important that parents know that this is happening in our district. We will be suspending the students involved, the students will be responsible for paying restitution, and law enforcement’s involvement.
“Initially this started as bathroom vandal-ism, but has spread to much larger damage and thefts. Hopefully, people see this for what it is, a crime against the community. These are community schools. The vast majority of our students are responsible, respectful and proud of their school. Unfortunately, a few of our students have decided to participate in this destructive behavior. Please help us by monitoring your students’ use of technology and social media.”
