Unique Reasons Ding Dong Ditch Is A Really Poor Idea In Montana

The age old kids prank of Ding Dong Ditch. It's been around for generations, but in Montana - it's NOT a great idea. In the age of doorbell cameras, in a state that is heavily armed with home protection weapons...things could go very wrong, very quickly.

Perhaps I'm getting old, but I'm a firm believer that in Montana - it's a TERRIBLE idea to mess with someone's house, even if it's a 'harmless' prank.

There are far too many gun owners across Montana that I'm terrified that something like Ding Dong Ditch could turn into a tragedy. I hope that all parents have had the 'don't do that' talk with their kids.

What you'll read here is a post from a local Montana group from a guys who was trying to figure out who was 'Ding Dong Ditching' his house late at night.

Then, dozens of folks chimed in with responses - ranging from the logical to the downright dangerous. No matter how foolish some of the responses were, it doesn't change the fact that scared people with weapons, sometimes pull the trigger first and ask questions later.

The bullet point responses below are simply what real, local residents suggested. They are NOT recommendations. My entire point is to spread the word of caution.

"Two weeks in a row we’ve had this going on, last week it was at midnight (Friday night) with two sets of very loud pounds on the door. I get it if it’s just kids being kids, but at midnight it’s freaky enough to pull out weapons.. not to mention waking up babies/kids if they are doing it to other homes."

• How bout a solar motion sensor light? As soon as they approach, it will light up the yard, they won't even get a chance to knock.
• I can make my porch lights flash red and set off an alarm.
• I picked up a couple lights that I keep on my haystacks. So when elk come in to eat the hay, it sets off the light and a really loud alarm. It only lasts a few seconds, but it scares the holy hell out of them.
• It looks like kids just having fun. I know it's a pain in the butt, but it's better than them running around like a bunch of drunk idiots causing real problems.
• I agree. I’m relieved to know it’s kids being dumb and not something more serious.
• Some friends of ours got their home burgled with patterns just like this. Might hang out in the dark with a garden hose ready for them next time.
• Fishing line strung across the sidewalk at about 6" off the ground will give you a nice face plant video. (This could seriously hurt someone, FYI.)

• What these little punks are doing is stupid. I think the fishing line idea is a great idea then the homeowner could just say the little punk trip over his feet getting away!
• "Life is hard - it's harder if you're stupid" John Wayne...
• Just please don't shoot the little dumbshit.
• Lol canvasing homes? This isn't freaking California. It's kids playing a freaking prank in small town Montana. Gimme a break...
• Montana kids shouldn’t pound strangers’ doors at midnight if they don't want to get shot by a homeowner thinking they are somewhere they don’t belong.
• It happens all over town these days. Welcome to the new Billings...
• Print a still of the kid in this video and post it on your door.
• I'd plaster that face all over town!

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• Just kids having fun but it seems to be a less simpler world these days than when we were out ringing doorbells.
• This happened at my house last night also.
• Wait for them and open the door when they go to knock and scare the s*** out of them.
• Trip wire with bucket of water… or dog stuff dump on them.
• It looks like a ding dong ditch or prank, but you never know. They could think it's where a friend lives and have the wrong house. We could assume all day.
• Them doing that after 10pm is definitely not ok. And you never know who's behind that door.
• Some parents around here have got to recognize the little S***
• Parents need to do better. Someone is going to get hurt.
• Just wait on the porch...
• I mean… there are certainly worse things he could be doing.
• Not too smart.
• Sounds like it might be a high school trend right now
• Rig it with urine.
• If you get the snap fireworks that snap when you throw them, they make a little bigger version of them, lay them under your rug a couple feet back from the door. When they run on the mat it will be funny to watch

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