Indian community demands more Edison police resources

• A more-than-capacity crowd demanded better police protection during a crime prevention forum Wednesday night
• Consisting mainly of South Asian residents%2C the forum was in response to targeted armed robberies
• Residents said the robberies follow a decade of burglaries during the Hindu holiday season of Diwali
• Edison will be hiring 15 more officers by spring and may tap into federal grants for more protection

EDISON – An angry, frustrated, overflowing crowd representing the township's 30 percent South Asian population spilled into the hallway of council chambers during a two-hour crime prevention forum Wednesday night, demanding resolution to a decade of burglaries timed to the Hindu holiday of Diwali.

The most recent incidents included four perpetrated from Oct. 20 to 30 by masked gunman, not only in the township, but also South Plainfield and Old Bridge. Many of the residents gathered said it was the first cases in which victims were bound at gunpoint by masked suspects they couldn't describe.

Given that the criminals have stepped up their crimes, the township needs to take better preventive measures, several residents said. Federal funds need to be tapped for more manpower than the 13 experienced officers to be hired by year's end, as well as two new recruits by spring, they said. They also asked for neighborhood surveillance cameras and a police substation.

Mayor Thomas Lankey said the township will look at all options.

"Sen. Cory Booker asked me, 'What can I do to help?" Lankey said. "And I'm going to take him up on it."

Authorities suggested that the gold, jewelry and cash more readily available during Diwali should be kept in bank safety deposit boxes when not in use during the holiday season.

Chief Thomas Bryan restated that suggestion during a similar crime prevention presentation that the police department has given at least three other times since 2007, according to several residents. Yet, they haven't exercised the presentations' suggestions, including forming the kind of Neighborhood Watch that successfully has protected other neighborhoods, authorities said.

Volunteer opportunities were made available at the forum.

"You are our eyes and ears," Bryan said. "We need your help."

Once numbering 215, the police department has shrunk by attrition to 158, said Bryan, adding that he is grateful that Lankey and the township council are working to increase those numbers. A collective bargaining agreement signed by a previous administration also limits the number of patrolman on any one shift to 26, the chief said.

However, a task force made up of Edison, South Plainfield and Old Bridge police, Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office detectives, state police and FBI are working on the countywide case, Bryan said.

"I want this to be a message to anyone who wants to come to Edison Township and commit crimes against our community," he said. "I will capture you and use all my resources to bring you to justice."

Bryan said it would be premature to describe the recent incidents as a hate or bias crime. He said it seemed to be more of a crime of opportunity.

Residents also seemed frustrated that the prosecutor's office is not revealing details of the case and prevented authorities from discussing much of it at the forum. The victim of the Oct. 30 incident in the township, who would not reveal his name, said it was difficult to describe the suspects because they were masked.

The victim's neighbors said his wife was attacked from outside while she took out the garbage, and that the suspects bound their young son. He is now very frightened, said the victim, while holding back tears.

In addition to the recent armed robbery, 40 burglaries have taken place in the township in the last seven weeks, according to police records.

"Something has to be done," said Chintan Trivedi, an Edison resident since 1984, whose Stratford Circle neighborhood was robbed twice in as many years.

"We need to feel safe," Trivedi said.

Residents also demanded more South Asian representation than the two officers on the force. Bryan suggested that they encourage more to apply.

Surprised by the forum's extensive turnout, Bryan and Lankey said a follow-up event soon will be held at one of the township high schools.

The prosecutor's office and the Indian Business Association also will hold a seminar, "Securing Your Homes and Neighborhoods," at 6 p.m. on Nov. 12 at TV Asia, 76 National Road, in Raritan Center in Edison. A panel will include Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey and local law enforcement.

South Plainfield Mayor Matthew Anesh said his borough also is considering holding a public safety forum.

Staff Writer Bob Makin: 732-565-7319; bmakin@mycentraljersey.com