A melee between teenagers in downtown New Rochelle has ignited a political fire in the race for mayor.

Police said more than 100 teens, some of them members of the notorious Crips street gang, got out of control in the heart of the business district Tuesday night. Three teenagers were injured and two were arrested.

Michael Brown, the Republican and Independent candidate for mayor, said the city?s priorities are misguided. ?We're more interested in ribbon cuttings and restaurants than helping our children have active and productive lives,? said Brown.

Brown had originally asked for Police Commissioner Patrick Carroll's resignation after reading that police knew about the incident, but did nothing to prevent it. Brown later learned that wasn't the case and refocused his attack. Carroll said Tuesday's incident wasn't as serious as has been reported.

Last Easter, a melee occurred in the city at New Roc City. New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson has said that incident was not a riot, but Brown disagrees.

Bramson said he met with business owners and is working to ensure that police visibility is everything that it can be. The police commissioner and the mayor said they are working on more preventative measures such as programs through schools to identify at-risk youth.

Meanwhile, business owners said they want cameras and police foot patrols immediately so further incidents don?t happen again.

Related Information Main St. melee prompts calls for more police presence