Officials Host Community Meeting to Discuss Concerns Following Deaths of Brentwood Teenagers

Police, officials and local residents came together at a community forum in Central Islip on Wednesday night to discuss concerns associated with the recent death of four Brentwood teenagers.

Earlier this month, 15-year-old Nisa Mickens was found dead on Stahley Street, near Loretta Park Elementary School, with lacerations and head trauma. Her friend, 16-year-old Kayla Cuevas' body was found the same day in a nearby wooded area.

Police believe both girls were attacked, possibly by gang members, as they walked back to Cuevas' home.

In addition, police recently found two sets of human remains in Brentwood this month.

The first was identified as 15-year-old Miguel Garcia Moran, who was reported missing back in February.

Moran's remains were found in a wooded area west of Emjay Boulevard and north of the Long Island Rail Road tracks, according to police.

The second set of remains, 19-year-old Oscar Acosta, were also found recently in the area.

Their deaths are also believed to be related to gang activity.

Local community activists Marcos Maldonado, Renee Ortiz and Kaliah D. Greene organized the meeting on Wednesday which took place at the Teatro Yerbabruja as part of a new Brentwood community group, Uplift Brentwood.

During the meeting, parents from Brentwood, Central Islip and Bay Shore expressed their concern for the safety of their children.

“Everybody is scared, everyone is petrified,” Brentwood father Herbie Medina told Newsday. “There’s rumors flying around every day and you never know what to believe. You don’t know if you’re going to send your kid to school and that’ll be the last time you’re going to see them.”

At the forum one woman suggested police and town officials to enforce a "broken windows" philosophy which encourages police to prevent smaller crimes such as vandalism or public drinking to help maintain order in a community and prevent more serious crimes from occurring, Newsday reports.

Police Commissioner Timothy Sini responded by saying residents can file anonymous complaints by calling 631-825-NARC.