Being threatened by a student from a nearby school was the last straw for a longtime Hawthorne resident.

Mark Saracino said a student from Hawthorne Cedar Knolls, a school for troubled youths, threatened him with a rock last week.

"I have a 5-year-old and a 3-year-old, and for them to be exposed to this and listening to this is crazy," said Saracino. "It's very frightening."

Saracino, who said students walk the streets screaming and cursing, called police to voice his concerns. Mount Pleasant Police Chief Paul Oliva said Hawthorne Cedar Knolls and Pleasantville Cottage, another school for troubled youths, aren't secure facilities.

"They are walking in the middle of the road or become involved in criminal activity," said Oliva.

Last June, four juveniles violently robbed a woman at the Hawthorne train station. Oliva said police receive two to three calls a day for problems related to students at the schools.

"Resources are drawn to that facility on such a high frequency basis that it's taking away from people here who may need them," said Saracino.

Hawthorne Cedar Knolls said it won't comment on specific incidents, but that the school is working with police. Pleasantville Cottage said it has hired a private security firm to review its procedures.