A new policy prevents entry for unaccompanied youth under 20 due to rising crime.
Strict ID Policy at Brooklyn McDonald's to Tackle Teen Disorder
Strict ID Policy at Brooklyn McDonald's to Tackle Teen Disorder
Brooklyn's McDonald's enforces age restrictions in a bid to enhance safety.
An alarming rise in juvenile crime has compelled a Brooklyn McDonald’s to implement a strict identification policy, prohibiting anyone under 20 from entering without a parent or valid ID. This significant move is in direct response to recent violent incidents, including a shocking attack wherein masked teenagers assaulted a security guard and vandalized property. Safety concerns at fast-food establishments nationwide highlight the context of this decision, as youth-related criminal activities have surged in recent times.
At the McDonald’s located at Nostrand and Flatbush Avenues, manager Amber Bussain, 19, noted that the restaurant has struggled with disruptive behavior from teenagers for more than a year. Bussain stated that incidents have become a daily occurrence, with groups of teenagers frequently entering to create chaos, harass patrons, and even steal from delivery drivers. “They come in just to cause trouble,” she shared. “They throw ice at customers, steal food, and even smoke marijuana inside the restaurant.”
The New York Police Department has been called to this McDonald's location 29 times just in 2025, reflecting a worrying trend of over 100 calls annually in recent years. Due to the ongoing disruptions, management was left with no choice but to enforce stricter measures.
The new entry policy has ignited discussions among community members. While many parents and customers express support for the initiative to restore safety, others criticize it for penalizing all young people instead of addressing the actions of the few.
Similar problems have plagued McDonald's franchises across the country, prompting some locations to hire private security or establish curfews to mitigate late-night disturbances. This latest policy in Brooklyn suggests that businesses are increasingly resorting to self-imposed regulations in response to climbing crime rates.
As safety strategies evolve, the effectiveness of this new approach remains uncertain; the question lingers whether this will redirect unruly behavior to other venues or indeed foster a safer environment at this fast-food chain.
At the McDonald’s located at Nostrand and Flatbush Avenues, manager Amber Bussain, 19, noted that the restaurant has struggled with disruptive behavior from teenagers for more than a year. Bussain stated that incidents have become a daily occurrence, with groups of teenagers frequently entering to create chaos, harass patrons, and even steal from delivery drivers. “They come in just to cause trouble,” she shared. “They throw ice at customers, steal food, and even smoke marijuana inside the restaurant.”
The New York Police Department has been called to this McDonald's location 29 times just in 2025, reflecting a worrying trend of over 100 calls annually in recent years. Due to the ongoing disruptions, management was left with no choice but to enforce stricter measures.
The new entry policy has ignited discussions among community members. While many parents and customers express support for the initiative to restore safety, others criticize it for penalizing all young people instead of addressing the actions of the few.
Similar problems have plagued McDonald's franchises across the country, prompting some locations to hire private security or establish curfews to mitigate late-night disturbances. This latest policy in Brooklyn suggests that businesses are increasingly resorting to self-imposed regulations in response to climbing crime rates.
As safety strategies evolve, the effectiveness of this new approach remains uncertain; the question lingers whether this will redirect unruly behavior to other venues or indeed foster a safer environment at this fast-food chain.
