As soon as you see one of these on your street, start packing…

Residents in parts of Long Island, New York, have voiced strong outrage after discovering vending machines allegedly selling crack pipes in public areas. The metal boxes advertise “Sketch Pens,” but local officials say the items being sold are ceramic tubes with filters commonly used to smoke drugs.

What Was Found

• Metal vending boxes placed in public-facing locations, including:
  • Near bus stops
  • Outside shopping centers
  • Near apartment buildings
• At least three machines were reported, including one located in front of a Home Depot in Coram.
• The devices sell “sketch pens” for $2, described as:
  • A pipe (ceramic tube)
  • A filter
  • Purchased with eight quarters

What Police Say
Authorities in Suffolk County are investigating the machines and believe they were repurposed from older vending machines that were previously used for personal items. Police also indicated:

• The machines are illegal.
• They may have been stolen from public bathrooms.
• They were likely installed by:
  • Drug dealers, or
  • Someone exploiting demand in a “thriving market” for drug paraphernalia.

Local Officials Describe Initial Shock
A local councilman said the discovery was so unusual that people initially wondered if it was a prank, but the machines appeared too “intricate” to be a joke. Another town leader suggested the machines may have been set up as a convenient distribution method, reducing the friction of getting pipes directly from sellers.

Why the Story Is Raising Concern
Residents and officials point to a longstanding drug challenge in the area. The article notes that:

• Suffolk County has faced major drug-related issues, including significant overdose deaths in past years.
• The appearance of these machines in everyday public spaces has intensified fears about:
  • Normalization of drug use
  • Ease of access to paraphernalia
  • The visibility of drug activity near community hubs (stores, transit stops)

Community Reaction
One resident who spotted a machine near a bus stop described being stunned to see such a device on the side of the road, highlighting the broader community sentiment: shock, frustration, and concern about what it signals for public safety.

What Happens Next

• Police investigations are ongoing to determine:
  • Who installed the machines
  • Where the machines came from
  • Whether additional devices are being placed elsewhere
• Local leaders have indicated the machines will be treated as illegal paraphernalia distribution and addressed accordingly.