Neighbors, store owners say group of teens are vandalizing and loitering in and around Merrick

Erica Barkan, of Merrick, claims the teens smashed in her fence while riding their bikes as part of the Kool-Aid challenge on TikTok.

Joe Arena

May 2, 2023, 2:11 AM

Updated 366 days ago

Share:

A Long Island community says a group of teenagers is terrorizing their neighborhood.
Erica Barkan, of Merrick, claims the teens smashed in her fence while riding their bikes as part of the Kool-Aid challenge on TikTok.
"It's incredible frustrating when you have your kids sleeping and it's 1 a.m. and you hear something like a bomb go off," Barkan says.
She says the group sometimes set off fireworks and loiter in people's yards. Barkan says because they are on bike, they get away fast.
The owner of a liquor store in Merrick shared surveillance video with News 12 of a large group of teens loitering outside his store. He says it happens all the time, and in some cases, they bank on his window and throw things until he has to call the police.
Local neighbors and employees also tell News 12 that some teens were kicked out of a CVS for riding their bikes in the store and causing issues at a HomeGoods store.
"We're being vandalized, we're being harassed," Barkan says.
The owner of the liquor store tells News 12 that he has given up on calling police about the teens loitering because he says it's a waste of time.
Barkan tells News 12 she will be spending hundreds of dollars to install surveillance cameras on her house.


More from News 12
1:29
Elmsford School District addresses elimination of DEI director role

Elmsford School District addresses elimination of DEI director role

2:01
Summer feeling with highs in the 80s tomorrow in the Hudson Valley

Summer feeling with highs in the 80s tomorrow in the Hudson Valley

1:22
Pro-Palestinian protests make their way to SUNY New Paltz campus

Pro-Palestinian protests make their way to SUNY New Paltz campus

0:20
Guy Fieri to host Cinco de Mayo bottle signing event in Yonkers

Guy Fieri to host Cinco de Mayo bottle signing event in Yonkers

0:27
White Plains and Northern Westchester Hospitals given 'A' grades for patient safety

White Plains and Northern Westchester Hospitals given 'A' grades for patient safety

1:33
SUNY officials visit Yonkers to encourage high schoolers to complete financial aid applications

SUNY officials visit Yonkers to encourage high schoolers to complete financial aid applications

Poughkeepsie Police investigate shootings of two teens, shooter at large

Poughkeepsie Police investigate shootings of two teens, shooter at large

0:35
 Woman faces charges in assault incident at Yonkers Montessori Academy

Woman faces charges in assault incident at Yonkers Montessori Academy

1:48
Newburgh charity founder faces federal charges, accused of falsely claiming to be a Purple Heart recipient and stealing from the VA

Newburgh charity founder faces federal charges, accused of falsely claiming to be a Purple Heart recipient and stealing from the VA

0:30
Rockland County's American Eel Project underway

Rockland County's American Eel Project underway

0:41
Sen. Gillibrand announces passage of new bill to fight fentanyl crisis

Sen. Gillibrand announces passage of new bill to fight fentanyl crisis

0:53
Health care workers picket outside Phelps Hospital demanding better conditions

Health care workers picket outside Phelps Hospital demanding better conditions

0:50
Westchester county executive announces $3 million allocated to build affordable housing in Mamaroneck

Westchester county executive announces $3 million allocated to build affordable housing in Mamaroneck

0:33
Changes to recreational striped bass fishing regulations in the Hudson River

Changes to recreational striped bass fishing regulations in the Hudson River

0:39
DEC: Bloomingburg taking ‘corrective action’ to fix major sewage leak into Shawangunk Kill

DEC: Bloomingburg taking ‘corrective action’ to fix major sewage leak into Shawangunk Kill

0:32
Suspect arrested in fatal shooting at unlicensed cannabis store in Mount Vernon

Suspect arrested in fatal shooting at unlicensed cannabis store in Mount Vernon

0:20
Arrest made in Spring Valley stabbing case

Arrest made in Spring Valley stabbing case

0:31
Putnam County man killed in crash following pursuit

Putnam County man killed in crash following pursuit

0:51
Westchester County allocates $3 million for affordable housing in Mamaroneck

Westchester County allocates $3 million for affordable housing in Mamaroneck

2:07
Traffic Alert: Speed limit reduced to 25 mph in White Plains

Traffic Alert: Speed limit reduced to 25 mph in White Plains