Residents Worried About Drunken 'Rowdiness' Coming From Barclays Center
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Brooklynites around the new Barclays Center are not ready to raise a pint to the Nets and their fans.
Some residents are concerned about what crowds of fans will do if they drink a lot during games or concerts and come into the surrounding neighborhoods after events at the soon-to-be home of the Brooklyn Nets.
"If you ask me, I wouldn't have any alcohol at all. It makes people act crazy," one Park Slope resident told 1010 WINS' Holli Haerr. "It's a big concern to me because I'm an older person. I don't like it."
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The new arena, located on the intersection of Atlantic and Flatbush avenues was the topic of much discussion at a community board meeting in the 78th Precinct on Tuesday night.
"The arena operators are acting as if they don't need the support of the local community and, you know, that's a scary proposition for people who are going to have to live next to this arena for decades -- for the rest of their lives," said Gib Veconi, Treasurer of the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council.
Some of those worried about how late-night drinking will affect their communities say that a cut off time for drinks and smaller servings may be good ideas.
"There's lots of people in lots of really nice restaurants, stores, activities going on there and if there's kind of general rowdiness after a game, it detracts from that," said one Brooklyn woman.
Others, however, contend that drinking is not their biggest concern.
"I am worried about people parking when there's games," another woman said.
The company that's running the concessions, Levy Restaurants, hasn't yet returned calls for comment from 1010 WINS.
Jay-Z will christen the building on September 28. A preseason match-up between the New York Islanders and the New Jersey Devils on October 2 will mark the first major sporting event at the new venue.
Are you worried about drinking at the Barclays Center? Share your thoughts in the comments section below...
