Mount Vernon residents say they are concerned about ongoing issues with youth gatherings following a fight on Gramatan Avenue Thursday afternoon.
The fight spilled out from the McDonald’s and stretched further down the block.
The chaos was captured on surveillance footage, showing police arriving shortly after the incident began to break it up.
Locals News 12 spoke to expressed growing frustration over young people gathering in the area and causing disruption.
One woman, choosing to remain off-camera, shared her exasperation:
"It happens constantly, yes, almost every day. I'm not out here around 3 p.m. There is no way," she says.
Others echoed these concerns, citing similar instances of chaos in restaurants and stores nearby. However, most were hesitant to go on record, expressing nervousness about speaking out publicly.
"This was a great city. But now it's getting so bad I don't understand what's going on," one resident lamented.
Thursday’s fight was acknowledged by a city spokesperson and verified through video footage. Still, officials have not provided details about any arrests or injuries related to the incident.
In response, a city spokesperson confirmed increased police presence in the area on Friday, with plans to maintain police vigilance in the area going forward.