Murders of 2 teen girls prompts community meeting in Brentwood

BRENTWOOD, Long Island (WABC) -- Two teenagers were killed on Long Island, likely by gangs.

Now, grief stricken parents and a concerned community are calling for an end to the violence.

The surge in crime in Brentwood has many residents asking, what are cops doing to keep everyone safe?

"It's not me, it's not you, it's us. To come together and make sure this does not happen again," said Officer Edward Groce, Suffolk County Police.

At the heart of Tuesday night's community meeting in Brentwood is the saying that it takes a village to raise a child.

And for three solid hours, residents, law enforcement officers, political and school leaders hammered out a plan that they know will work, but it's going to take a lot of work.

"We need to protect our children, we need to be vigilant. It shouldn't take such an egregious and heinous crime for us to come together," said Mauricio Ramirez, a resident and parent.

This is all in response to the murders of Kayla Cuevas and Nisa Mickens.

Both were found beaten to death last week.

Many say the gang problem has plagued this hamlet for well over a decade.

The teens death has sparked a renewed promise to do something about it.

"We shouldn't live in fear. We can't even go outside when it gets dark, can't take our garbage out, walk our dogs. We have to be inside," a resident said.

In response to stepped up security at the high school, there is now $500,000 going towards early intervention programs at Brentwood Schools to combat gangs.

"They are all great kids; sadly some of them have derailed. That's what we need to prevent in the early stages," Legislator Monica Martinez said.

While residents continue to come up with solutions, police dedicated more resources towards finding the people responsible for the murders of Kayla and Nisa.

"The pressure on these known gang members has been palpable. This is not a good time to be a gang in this community," Suffolk County Police Commissioner Timothy Sini said.