Wooded Area At Local Complex Attracting Trespassers

Residents at a local apartment complex said they have had enough with the noise and garbage created by trespassers into the woods by their apartments.

Tenants at the Martin Luther Terrace Apartments reached out to local authorities and the Kings Park Civic Association to come up with solutions to what they say are local teens hanging out in a wooded area behind the complex.

Susan Cadoff, manager of the Lutheran Care Network, said the activity has residents concerned.

Cadoff said a “recreation den” with couches has been set up in the woods by the complex and is being used as a hang out and added that numerous empty canisters of nitrous oxide were found along with empty beer cans. Nitrous oxide is sometimes used to do "whip hits", and produces a euphoric feeling like one from nitrous oxide gas given at a dentist office.

“We are concerned for the safety of the kids who hang out behind there, they could get hurt. The kids are using nearby dead end streets, disturbing residents to get to the woods. We are just concerned for everybody’s safety,” she said.

Cadoff, on the advice of police, had "No Trespassing" signs installed to discourage the behavior and to indicate that entering the property is illegal.

“Our purpose is not to get the kids into trouble and have a record that follows them. We just want to keep them safe.”

The complex does not have a security force and Cadoff said that would be an expensive option.

“We are just trying to come up with some solutions for this and see if there is something as a community we can do," said Cadoff.

Tenants of the complex said the activity usually increases when school lets out and summer arrives.

Cadoff said they recently paid to have the area cleared out and is now clean and said she would like to see it stay that way.

Inspector Jim Rhodes, of the Suffolk County Police Fourth Precinct, said they have increased patrols in the area and have assigned a sector car there. Rhodes said that anyone who suspects trespassing in that area should contact the police.

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