Edison residents are grappling with a perceived rise in crime, including break-ins and speeding issues. In this tense environment, Councilman Rich Brescher has raised serious concerns about Mayor Sam Joshi’s use of police resources.
Brescher alleges that Mayor Joshi took four police officers with him to the Democratic National Convention (DNC), despite not being a delegate. Calling the trip a political vacation that served no purpose to the residents of Edison, he questions the necessity of this security detail, especially when the town is facing a police shortage and increasing crime rates.
“Crime is on the rise and the statistics are there to show that,” Brescher stated. “When you say that you care about public safety, you don’t care about public safety, if you’re taking four police officer to Chicago for 6 days for the DNC (Democratic National Convention), what you’re doing is you’re actually putting the police in jeopardy of not being able to do the job efficiently.”
Brescher believes the Mayor should reimburse the township for the cost of the officers and any overtime incurred. He believes it is a gross misappropriation of funds should be a matter for the prosecutor to investigate.
The Councilman’s concerns highlight a broader issue of police staffing and resource allocation in Edison. He argues that the town doesn’t have enough officers to keep residents safe, citing incidents like the recent burglaries, the unmanned substation in North Edison and the cardboard officers sitting in unmanned police cars.
Brescher’s calls for transparency regarding crime statistics have so far gone unanswered. He believes the administration is withholding information that could help the council and the public understand the true extent of the crime problem.
The Mayor’s office has not yet responded to these allegations. As the debate unfolds, Edison residents are left wondering whether their safety is being compromised for political purposes. The question remains: is the Mayor prioritizing his own security over the safety of the community he serves?
