Teen Loitering A Problem At Local Shopping CenterBALLANTYNE, NC- Summertime means more free time for teens and that's creating problems at a shopping center in Ballantyne. Business owners at Blakeney Shopping Center say teen loitering is in full effect. It's sizzling on the grill and sizzling outside. Greco Fresh Grill owner Bill Pahountis says that kept the normal crowd of teens Friday. But on any other weekend, he says there are dozens causing trouble. "A whole bunch of teens loitering. Getting loud, sometimes cursing, smoking, hookah.. you get the idea," said Pahountis. Pahountis says disruptive teens sometimes turn away families with young kids. He also says vandalism and teens leaving trash is a problem. "After they're done making their mess, the maintenance crew has to come by and power wash the grounds and pick up a lot of extra rubbish that should have never been left in the first place," said Pahountis. He's not alone. Other restaurant employees tell us they share the same concerns with teens being dropped off by parents. They say many of them smoke and leave cigarette butts outside of their businesses. Restaurant owners say there's not much they do except call security, but when they step foot in their restaurants, they can kick them out. SOME PARENTS SAY THEY THINK PARENTS ARE AT FAULT FOR DROPPING TEENS OFF AND LEAVING THEM WITH NO SUPERVISION. SOME SAY THERE IS A SOLUTION. "A little more of a security presence would probably help," said Pahountis. |
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