Activists: Smoke shop next to Brooklyn middle school is advertising to kids

A confrontation took place inside the establishment between some activists and a few workers after some felt the shop is deliberately advertising to kids.

News 12 Staff

Dec 8, 2021, 10:47 PM

Updated 1,032 days ago

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Activists in East New York showed their outrage on Wednesday over a smoke shop that opened in front of a middle school.
A confrontation took place inside the establishment between some activists and a few workers after some felt the shop is deliberately advertising to kids.
The store, which says smoke shop, also says "Van Siclen Candy Shop" next to it. The establishment has since taped over the word candy after the commotion. News 12 did obtain a few pictures from some activists that show cartoon characters holding what look like blunts, colorful pipes of all shapes and sizes, and brightly colored merchandise inside.
Wednesday was the second straight day activists rallied outside the shop, just a few days after the business opened directly across from the school. Activists say there's been a disturbing trend of smoke shops opening near schools in this neighborhood. This has been echoed at Community Board 5 by those who looking for assistance from the city to see why this keeps happening.
"We tried calling a number associated with this business multiple times with no response," said the concerned resident.
Assembly Member Charles Barron says he will be introducing legislation to prevent smoke shops from opening within 1,000 feet of a school.
Activists say they will keep their eyes on the business and make sure someone is here during school hours to make sure no kids go inside.