Assistant Superintendent Grucci, SMCCA to discuss school safety

Merrick School District administrators have had it up to here with teens who turn elementary schools into after-hours hangouts.

Dr. Christine Grucci, assistant superintendent for business and technology, will discuss the issue with the community at the June 29 South Merrick Community Civic Association meeting at 7 p.m. at the Merrick Golf Course Club House.

At the June 15 Board of Education meeting, Grucci said district custodians have been authorized to drive school vehicles with sirens to disperse teens congregating on school grounds — and even school roofs — at night and on weekends.

According to civic association President Joe Baker, there have been reports of as many as 60 teens trespassing on Merrick School property and reports of drug paraphernalia left in their wake.

Grucci said she floated the idea of hiring a private security company to other component school districts in the Bellmore-Merrick area, but none agreed.

"The bottom line is kids want to hang out somewhere, but where do they go? They get chased from 7-11, they roam the streets, so where do they go? A place that's most comfortable -- the school," Baker said.

"I think the smartest thing may be hiring a security guard, but if you don't have the money how do you resolve this? That's what we're going to look at," he said of the upcoming meeting.

To learn more about SMCCA, visit www.SouthMerrickCivic.org.

Comments about this story? SZeidler@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.