The latest viral social media craze, the Running Man Challenge, is sweeping through South Florida police and fire departments.
Unlike the Ice Bucket Challenge, who was launched to raise awareness about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) by golfer and Florida resident Chris Kennedy, the participants of the #RunningMan Challenge are in it just for glory and bragging rights.
The viral video phenomenon started with two New Jersey teens who said they were bored during finance class.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul7TZy9_fo4"
So they made a video of them dancing the running manto "My Boo," a song from the '90s by https://youtu.be/CPm7oCnpld8">Ghost Town DJ's. They posted it online, where two University of Maryland basketball players saw it and did their own version just in time for the frenzy of March Madness.
The rest is instant history, at Internet speed.
The first law enforcement officers to jump on the trend were members of the New Zealand Police Department, who dared other agencies including LAPD and NYP.
In South Florida, the claim to glory goes to the Miami Beach Police Department, who first posted a video challenging their colleagues in other departments and adding their own touches.
Miami Beach Fire Department responded with a video featuring Batman and other local "personalities".
Miami Police Department upped the ante with a video that includes -what else- a short interlude of "Conga" by Miami Sound Machine.
For the Key West Police Department, it's Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville," naturally — followed by officers in dive gear continuing their dance underwater.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcOq_ih4Re4
The Key West entry came because "we were challenged by the Miami-Dade PD," said Key West police spokeswoman Alyson Crean. "And the chief is a great dancer."
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department included officers on dancing horses in their video.
The Broward's Sheriff Office opted to make their video part of recruiting efforts, inviting those who have "the right moves" to become part of the agency.
Delray Beach Police also used its #RunningMan videos as part of the recruiting efforts.
And Hallandale Beach Police decided to go its own way, using the song "Who Let The Dogs Out" to answer their challenge.
