Police and community members attended a forum Wednesday night to address the recent violence in Brentwood that was responsible for four teen killings.
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Tim Sini, Legislator Monica Martinez and others attended the meeting at the Teatro Yerbabruja in Central Islip, which lasted more than two hours.
As News 12 has reported, two teenage girls were found beaten to death in Brentwood earlier this month. Then two sets of human remains were found in Brentwood and later identified as deceased teenagers who were also the victims of assault.
"We're in this for the long haul. We are standing with you. We will continue to stand with you," Sini said to residents in attendance. "And we will do everything in our power to solve these cases, eradicate gangs and keep you safe."
In response to the violence, Brentwood officials have closed down a section connected to school grounds that was a popular area for gang members.
Legislator Martinez, who was an assistant principal at the high school, says the overpass near the Long Island Rail Road tracks was a trouble spot for years. Students told News 12 Long Island that gang members who would offer drugs or sexual encounters with students as young as 11 along the walkway.
Some parents told News 12 that they will not let their children walk on the streets alone.
"After they found those two girls, we don't even let my daughter walk anymore," said Fidel Cabrera.
But despite strong words from the Suffolk County Police Department and elected officials, some residents are skeptical.
Lenny Tucker, of Brentwood, worries that once the outrage over the killings subsides, law enforcement will turn its attention elsewhere.
"I can't even sugar coat it," he said. "They'll be gone in six months. That's the best I can say."
Sini says the police department is working with its federal partners on the gang front as well.
A $15,000 reward is being offered to anyone who can provide information that leads to an arrest of in the slayings of the two Brentwood teens.
Anyone with information is asked to call Suffolk Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.