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Extra Security At Former LI Psychiatric Facility For Halloween Weekend

KINGS PARK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The supposedly haunted former Kings Park Psychiatric Hospital in Suffolk County has been a fascination for teenagers and young adults, especially around Halloween.

The facility is on New York State Parks property and spokesperson George Gorman said there will be a heightened police presence to make sure that no one goes inside during Halloween weekend.

"It is dangerous," Gorman said. "Those buildings are old, they are dilapidated. There are toxins such as asbestos in those buildings."

Increased patrols will begin Friday, Oct. 28.

"We're just going to advise people not to go into the facility," Gorman said. "We're being proactive. We don't believe we'll get anybody that will be going into the buildings. But if they do go into the buildings, we will ask them to leave."

In 2012, teenagers trespassing on the property became trapped after accidentally locking themselves inside a patient's room. They had to be let out by police.

The 300-acre, 47-building complex originally opened in 1885 to help ease overcrowded psychiatric asylums in Brooklyn.

It has been closed since 1996.

Gorman said the facility will eventually be torn down.

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