Responding to ongoing disturbances caused by groups of rowdy teenagers, a McDonald’s in Queens has implemented a new door policy that restricts unaccompanied minors from entering the premises during specific afternoon hours. The policy, now in effect for about five months, bars minors from the restaurant on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., unless they are with an adult. This time period aligns with school dismissal from three nearby schools, including Queens Metropolitan High School, as reported by The U.S. Sun.
The move comes after the location dealt with a spate of incidents, including violence and disorderly conduct, with police records showing they were summoned to the McDonald's 15 times this year; escalating concerns led to the hiring of a "McBouncer," according to The U.S. Sun.
The New York Post reports that Claudia Zanabria, a tough McDonald’s employee and cancer survivor, has taken up the role, stating, “This generation is really different… they push me, they disrespect me.” Some teens also expressed frustration, with one commenting, “It’s horrible, it’s so unnecessary.”
In practice, Zanabria confronts as many as two dozen teens daily who crowd the entrance, serving their mobile orders outside and permitting entry to those placing orders in-store under strict supervision, reveals the New York Post. These measures follow other reported incidents at different McDonald's locations in Queens, including a tragic case earlier in the year where a 14-year-old boy was fatally stabbed on Valentine’s Day amid a teen brawl.
The establishment has received positive feedback from adults for the new policy, with one customer expressing relief about the increased safety, stating, "I don’t want to be a victim, you don’t know if they’re going to throw something at you or punch you in the face or something," in an interview with the New York Post.
