Edison, NJ – The use of inflatable police dummies stationed in patrol cars, a tactic previously confined to North Edison, has now spread to the south side of the township, sparking controversy and ridicule among residents.
Mayor Sam Joshi and Chief Tom Bryan defend the practice, claiming it acts as a visual deterrent to crime. They argue that the presence of these “faux officers,” even if inanimate, encourages drivers to obey traffic laws and discourages potential criminal activity.
However, many residents are far from convinced. “This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen,” exclaimed James Chang who lives near one of the deployed inflatable cops. “It’s like something out of a comedy movie, the residents get an inflatable cop why the real cops drive and travel around with the mayor, it’s a joke.” The sight of inflatable figures sitting rigid behind the wheel has become a source of amusement and mockery for many, with some residents even taking to social media to share photos and express their disbelief.
The deployment of these inflatable officers is particularly galling for residents when contrasted with the security detail afforded to the mayor. While residents are expected to feel protected by dummies, the mayor travels with a four-officer police detail. This disparity in protection highlights a clear double standard, leaving residents feeling like their safety is being mocked while public funds are used to protect elected officials.
“It’s a slap in the face,” commented resident Rithik Patel “They give us blow-up cops while the mayor gets a personal entourage. It’s just not right.” This perceived misuse of resources adds fuel to the fire of discontent surrounding the inflatable officer program, further eroding public trust and raising questions about the priorities of the township’s leadership.
“The public deserves real protection, not cheap blow up dolls,” said one ranking Edison Police Officer who only agreed to speak anonymously citing department rules prohibiting speaking to the press. “We’re hemorrhaging manpower on photo ops and publicity stunts for the mayor, while real crime goes unchecked. It’s a disgrace to the badge and an insult to the citizens we’re sworn to serve.”
“We’re spending more time staging these ridiculous displays with inflatable cops than we are on traffic enforcement or actual policing,” said the officer. “Meanwhile, response times and overtime are through the roof, and our officers are stretched thinner than ever. This isn’t about public relations; it’s about public safety. And until we shift our focus back to where it belongs, we’re failing the very people who depend on us. This nonsense has to stop.”
Adding to the concerns of the anonymous officer, a recent analysis of traffic citations across Middlesex County revealed a startling disparity. Despite being the largest town in Middlesex County, having significant stretches of of Route 287, the NJ Turnpike, US Route 1 and having a population of over 106,000 residents, Edison issued fewer traffic tickets in 2023-2024 than nine other municipalities, including South Plainfield, which has just 24,000 residents. With the exception of Spotswood, Edison saw the largest decrease year over year of any town in Middlesex County at 37%, raising serious questions about the mayor’s approach to public safety.
This stark contrast lends credence to the officer’s claims that Edison’s focus on traffic enforcement has dwindled significantly. The data suggests a troubling trend where policing priorities have shifted away from addressing traffic and public safety issues, further undermining the department’s ability to effectively serve and protect its community.
This unusual tactic of inflatable cops raises questions about the effectiveness of such measures and whether they truly contribute to public safety. Critics argue that the dummies are easily identifiable as fake and may even create a false sense of security, potentially emboldening criminals. They also express concern that the use of such tactics reflects a lack of genuine solutions to address crime in the township.
While the effectiveness of these inflatable police deterrents remains debatable, one thing is certain: they have become a hot topic of conversation and a source of both amusement and frustration in Edison Township. Whether this strategy will ultimately prove successful in reducing crime or simply fade away as a bizarre footnote in the town’s history remains to be seen.
