Brockton High School students have been causing chaos and damage inside nearby businesses located across Belmont Street, according to several store managers. The shops and restaurants in the area have struggled to maintain order before, during, and after school hours. The situation became so concerning that a new Starbucks opened on Belmont Street, within eyesight of the massive Brockton High building, which has a student body of roughly 3,700.
Brockton Police Lt. Paul Bonanca acknowledged the issues at a School Committee meeting on August 6. He mentioned meeting with managers at the new Starbucks and initially stated that the store would close from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. daily. However, Starbucks‘ media relations clarified that only the dining area would be closed during the school week from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., excluding weekends. The drive-thru would remain open, but customers could not stay in the store.
Mayor Robert Sullivan expressed surprise at the decision to close the interior store area during school hours and announced plans to meet with the store’s management team and Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez to discuss the matter. He emphasized the importance of finding a collaborative solution to support the business while ensuring safety for workers and customers.
During the summer break, store managers noted a decrease in chaos caused by Brockton High School students. Some businesses took their own measures to address the issues, such as kicking out students who did not make purchases. Managers reported improvements in the behavior of students, attributing it to the enforcement of rules and consequences for disruptive behavior.
Despite the improvements, concerns about safety and security remain. Instances of students leaving the school midday without permission have been reported, prompting increased police presence in the area. Business owners like Xiaoce Yang, general manager of Juicy Seafood, have witnessed fights between students in parking lots but have also seen a decrease in such incidents with the presence of law enforcement.
While some businesses have taken steps to address the disruptive behavior of students, the issue of maintaining order and ensuring safety in the vicinity of Brockton High School persists. Collaboration between school officials, law enforcement, and business owners is essential to finding long-term solutions to these challenges.