Terror on wheels: Sheepshead Bay moms call for action as teens take over playground
Since June 1, the NYPD has received 13 calls reporting water balloons thrown inside the park.
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Sheepshead Bay moms say it’s chaos on wheels at Mellett Playground, with teens on mopeds and bikes are ramming into people and launching drive-by water balloon attacks on parkgoers.
Since June 1, the NYPD has received 13 calls reporting water balloons thrown inside the park. Some parents say the balloons sometimes explode, leaving children terrified.
During the day, the park is calm — toddlers play freely. But locals say at night, teens take over.
“I run after my son, afraid that they will hit him,” one mother said. “He’s 3 years old. He can run in their way and it could be really bad.”
Although signs at the playground clearly state that bikes and mopeds are prohibited, parents say the rule is often ignored.
Councilwoman Inna Vernikov joined NYPD officers at the park Thursday to enforce the no-biking policy, but residents say the chaos resumes as soon as police leave.
“The cops are here every single day,” one mom said. “The moment the cops leave, all hell breaks loose. It’s a zoo.”
The NYPD says officers from the 61st Precinct conduct daily patrols at the playground and that community leaders will continue working to curb the reckless behavior.
