According To New Jersey State Police Reports Crime Is Up 70.52% During Mayor Joshi’s Tenure, 24′ Numbers Not Yet Available
Edison, NJ, a township often lauded for its suburban tranquility, is grappling with a stark reality: a significant and concerning rise in crime over the past three years. Data released by the New Jersey State Police Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Unit reveals a dramatic upward trend in key offense categories, raising questions about public safety and prompting calls for action.
The numbers, publicly available on the New Jersey State Police website, paint a clear picture. In 2021, Mayor Tom Lankey’s last year in office, Edison recorded 29 robberies, 80 assaults, and 165 burglaries, contributing to a total of 1,394 offenses. By 2022, Mayor Sam Joshi’s first year in office, these figures had climbed to 41 robberies, 128 assaults, and 192 burglaries, with the total offenses reaching 2,002. However, the most alarming increase is observed in 2023, Mayor Sam Joshi’s second year in office, where the township witnessed 53 robberies, 125 assaults, and 252 burglaries, culminating in 2,377 total offenses. The data for 2024 is not yet available on the NJSP website.
These raw numbers translate to staggering percentage increases. Comparing 2021 to 2023, Edison experienced an 82.76% surge in robberies, a 56.25% increase in assaults, a 52.72% rise in burglaries, and a 70.52% jump in total offenses. These statistics are not merely abstract figures; they represent a tangible shift in the perceived safety of the community.
“The Mayor might lie but the numbers speak for themselves. Robberies, burglaries, and assaults are all up, with total offenses skyrocketing by 70%. Mayor Joshi’s policies have failed miserably on every statistical crime category except rape. Putting up signs that say “Burglars Go To Jail” and deploying inflatable dolls in decoy police cars is obviously a failing strategy. The data is a clear mandate against his public safety policies” said Councilman Rich Brescher who has announced his candidacy for mayor in the June 10th Democratic primary election.
“The recent, horrifying home invasion, where a pregnant woman and her young child were subjected to a brutal and traumatic ordeal, has shattered any illusion of safety. It has forced residents to look beyond the mayor’s rhetoric and examine the cold, hard facts” said former Councilwoman Joyce Ship-Freeman. “Citizens are now scrutinizing the crime statistics, the incident reports, the very data that the administration seems so eager to gloss over. And that data, those numbers, they tell a story that cannot be spun or obscured. The data doesn’t lie, and it reveals a truth that the mayor’s carefully crafted narrative simply cannot conceal.”
It is important to acknowledge the disclaimer accompanying the 2023 data. The NJSP emphasizes that the reported figures are preliminary, submitted by the reporting agency (Edison), and subject to potential revisions. The data may also exclude contributions from ancillary law enforcement agencies. This disclosure highlights the importance of understanding that these statistics are a snapshot in time and may be refined in future publications.
Furthermore, the NJSP directs users to the FBI’s UCR program for a deeper understanding of the data’s methodology. The UCR data is compiled according to specific federal reporting standards, which may differ from other statistical compilations. This distinction is crucial for accurate interpretation and comparison.
Despite these caveats, the trend is undeniable. The significant increase in robberies, burglaries, assaults and total offenses raises serious concerns among Edison residents. The community is now seeking answers and demanding proactive measures to address the escalating crime rates. Residents are asking for increased police presence, improved community policing initiatives, and a transparent dialogue about the factors contributing to this alarming trend.
The rise in crime in Edison serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly safe suburban communities are not immune to the challenges facing law enforcement. The coming months will be crucial in determining how the township addresses this issue and works to restore a sense of security for its residents. Mayor Joshi and Chief of Staff Bob Diehl did not return request for comment.
