There’s Finally an Explanation For This Bizarre Detail at Dunkin' Stores

A recent TikTok video has revealed that one seemingly out-of-place detail at Dunkin' locations has a much more alarming purpose than most of us could have imagined.

If you've ever spotted a height chart on the interior door frame of the chain's coffee shops, it may have reminded you of amusement park rides or the DMV, but TikToker with the username @officialjuice93 revealed this week that the chart is actually there to help witnesses describe perpetrators of crimes.

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The clip starts off with a voiceover saying "Tell me your Dunkin has been robbed with out [sic] telling me they've been robbed… I'll go first," and then shows the red height marks on the door. The video, which has been viewed almost half a million times, seems to suggest that Dunkin' locations that have previously suffered a robbery have the height chart on full display.

@officialjuice93Reposting because there is NO violence!♬ original sound – Jocelyn

According to a Slate article from 2012, height charts were first adopted by convenience stores to help cashiers give more accurate height descriptions of robbers. As such, they've been part of retail environments for decades. However, in the age of new technology like security cameras, the height strips could do more harm than good, according to the publication. A camera will usually capture the appearance of the perpetrator pretty well, while clerks and eyewitnesses could be harmed if the robber notices they're attempting to identify their height.

So why are places like Dunkin' still using the height markers? According to experts, they're a good psychological deterrent for criminals to even attempt a robbery in the first place. As Slate points out, it signals to both customers and criminals that the store takes matters of security seriously.