Police in Carmel are stepping up enforcement after dangerous driving at a busy shopping center. In just four hours, arrests were made, cars were impounded, and dozens of tickets were given out.

Shoppers at the Mahopac Village Shopping Center on Route 6 say that aggressive driving, speeding and burnouts begin as most businesses close for the night. The evidence of burnouts between the center's Acme and McDonald's is etched in ringlets onto the street.

"It's been very common for a lot of teenagers to do what they call doughnuts, race, hang out here, but in a way, I don't blame them. There's really not much to do in Mahopac and the surrounding areas for our young," said Mahopac resident Shay Lulgjuraj.

On Friday, April 17, Carmel Police Chief Anthony Hoffmann says about four officers and a supervising sergeant conducted the detail. Within four hours, the department and its Conditions Enforcement Team made three reckless driving arrests, impounded three vehicles and issued 22 traffic summonses.

"When the weather gets nicer, it's common in the area and we did see a big spread of the ages like you said...17, 18, 19...all the way up into a gentleman into his 50s," said Hoffmann. "It's not just kids having fun. That's unfortunate that the people are here creating a nuisance."

And that's not all.

Two nights before the detail, Hoffmann says a driver threatened another driver with a gun in the same parking lot.

During a traffic stop that was part of the detail, a suspect was arrested for menacing with a gun.

"By the officers being here and being proactive, they were able to stop a car and they developed information that led to an arrest in that crime," said Hoffmann.

Hoffmann says the department "will continue to address complaints like these with strict enforcement to ensure the safety and quality of life of our residents, businesses, and guests."