Viral ‘devious licks’ Tik Tok trend results in widespread vandalism of campus property
The trend involves stealing random objects such as soap dispensors and signs and displaying them in rooms or showing them off on social media. Administration and custodial staff hope that the trend will be put to rest as a display of respect for persons and community.
Berries and cream. Couch guy. Now, devious licks.
Chances are you have seen these or similar trends from the app Tik Tok. One of the most popular Tik Tok trends of 2021 is the devious licks trend that consists of individuals making videos of themselves stealing, vandalizing or showing off items that they have stolen, primarily from school bathrooms.
This trend has been affecting schools across the nation, specifically, colleges and high schools.
CSB has not been an exception.
“St. John’s and St. Ben’s has always been known as such a great community, which is why when asked why someone came here, they will say it just felt right,” said Jody Terhaar, CSB dean of students.
When one walks around CSB, you see nice small talk, people holding doors for each other and more random acts of kindness.
“Students in general have been very respectful,” Terhaar said.
Vandalism started to take place immediately after students returned to campus, and the bathrooms were a prime place for these acts to happen.
The range of vandalism has had different levels of destruction, from toilet paper being scattered throughout the bathrooms to more extreme instances of taking soap and towel dispensers off the wall.
According to CSB first-year and security officer Alyssa Leavey, CSB security takes stealing and vandalism quite seriously.
Terhaar indicated that the acts are taking place after midnight. While the administration knows these events are happening, the extent of the vandalism is unclear. The timing of the incidents makes it hard to catch the perpetrators.
“I have not seen this trend around our campus, but it is definitely a possibility that it has happened here,” Leavey said.
The vandalism has been occurring consistently throughout the year. Administration is now trying to figure out the best way to handle this situation.
A big question for administrators is who should be held accountable when no one is being caught or coming forward with evidence, especially as the problem continues to grow.
“I have seen several videos of items being taken from bathrooms and a few signs being stolen, but I was not aware that this has grown to be an actual problem at CSB/SJU” said Madison Pricket, CSB first-year.
Possible restrictions have been considered to limit acts of vandalism, but nothing has been set in stone. Some potential restrictions included limiting guest hours and key card access to non-resident guests.
Many of the acts of vandalism take place in residential areas.
According to Terhaar, Lottie, Margretta and Brian have the most recorded instances of vandalism this year.
It is not clear why there is more vandalism in one place.
However, Terhaar believes that the idea of community is not being reflected in the best way possible at CSB.
“I want to plead with students to make better decisions,” Terhaar said.
