Edison Mayor Joshi Slams State Leadership, Calls Out Inaction Against Crime

Challenges Democratic colleagues to prioritize public safety amidst rising juvenile crime rates

EDISON, NJ — The assault and attempted carjacking at Patel Bros. at 1681 Oak Tree Road on March 15th at 1655 hours is currently under investigation. Anyone with information about this incident should contact Detective Chris Paone of the Edison Police Burglary Unit at 732-248-7413.

Following an appalling robbery and attempted carjacking in broad daylight this past week, Edison Mayor Sam Joshi is breaking ranks with his Democratic peers by demanding stricter criminal penalties and more accountability for juveniles who are convicted of serious crimes including home invasion, robbery, and auto theft. He is calling on the governor and state legislature to enact tougher laws, detain repeat offenders pending trial, greater discretion for bail sentencing, change the classification to increase the severity of these crimes and address the backlog that allows prosecutors to impose longer criminal sentences for juveniles.

“The rise in juvenile crimes demands our urgent attention. While our great police department is doing all it can to catch those responsible for committing crimes, too often the offenders end up being released without consequences. We have implemented a number of new public safety initiatives, but our police department and courts are being undermined and compromised by state policy and inaction,” said Mayor Joshi.

Understanding that the current situation is unacceptable, Mayor Joshi and his administration have initiated a series of comprehensive public safety measures including:

1. Increased Police Patrolling:

  The Edison Police Department has been directed to increase patrolling three to four times throughout the town. The enhanced surge in our expanded police force of 189 officers aims to deter criminals from endangering our neighborhoods and creates a safer environment for all residents.

2. New Technology:

The administration has leveraged state-of-the-art technology to curtail crime effectively. Over 80 license plate readers have been strategically installed throughout Edison. These devices track stolen vehicles and license plates, allowing for the interception of criminal activity before it occurs. Since the program’s inception in January 2022, there have been over 500 alerts to officers that have helped deter criminal activity, intercept crime before it occurs, and aid investigations to assist with arrests/summonses.

This technology has proven highly effective and will expand with several new locations throughout town.

3. New, Advanced 9-1-1 System:

An advanced 9-1-1 system has been installed, enabling dispatchers to send a link to see real-time video from distress callers. This innovative system ensures that the police department gains critical information before arriving at the scene, enhancing response and situational awareness.

4. Creation of New Street Crimes Unit:

The Edison Police Department created and implemented a Street Crimes Unit that has been instrumental in preventing auto thefts and burglaries.

5. Increased Total Manpower:

32 new officers have been hired in the past 18 months, providing the Edison Police Department with additional personnel needed to perform vital public safety functions. The mayor will soon expand the department to 196 officers, the largest in one decade.

Additionally, Mayor Joshi attended the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C. where he spoke to state and federal lawmakers about the necessity for police officers and courts to have the authority to charge and prosecute individuals posing a threat to the community. He also participated in a panel on policing, which provided him with the opportunity to speak to and learn from other experts in the field of public safety. Mayor Joshi repeatedly conveyed his unwavering support for police officers throughout the conference and emphasized the importance for fellow mayors to express support for their own police departments.

“Public safety is a collective responsibility. It begins with supporting our police officers and empowering our communities, which is why it’s imperative that we demand legislative action to punish juvenile offenders more severely. It’s time to stop coddling criminals and start protecting our communities,” added Mayor Joshi.

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