By Steve Mackin |
I have been listening and speaking about recent events in our village, which include packs of teenagers, on bikes and off, creating havoc in the business district.
These minors are blocking pedestrian traffic, vehicle traffic, harassing customers coming in and out of stores and, most disturbing, a violent incident involving a young victim was recently captured on video and posted to Facebook.
The video depicts a group of teens outnumbering and surrounding another young person and repeatedly punching him as he stood his ground, kept his cool and attempted to ride away.
As he did, he was snuffed from behind by a bigger kid.
The victim is a 6th grader.
These recent incidents have rattled my mind. We must stand up as a community and put an end to this nonsense.
The village code officers and the police cannot be everywhere at once, however if we the residents, step up in numbers we can make a difference. I spent 2 1/2 hours in front of the Papa Nick’s Pizzeria and the Chinese restaurant. An adult presence is enough to deter any of these kids.
The village must enforce the codes that are already in effect regarding bicycles and sidewalks in the business district. The challenge we have is most of the offenders are minors. Impounding bikes could be an option.
Some of these kids are friends or “hang around” with friends of friends of our kids. If we can, let’s get to mom and dad; we may have a chance in correcting some of this behavior. Chances are you know these kids and their parents.
My goal short-term is to assist our community while we are out and about with wide open eyes and ears and if you see something that is not right call 911 for emergency and 852-COPS for non emergency. I am wide open for suggestions or volunteer’s to join my quest to keep Bellport Village the safest and best place to live.
Steve Mackin is a Bellport Village trustee.
Editor’s note: GreaterPatchogue has made the decision to not re-post the video because it shows minors.
