Our Bureau
Edison, NJ
A crime bill advocated by Mayor Sam Joshi has passed the state assembly on Monday and will be sent to Governor Phil Murphy’s desk in 45 days. According to this bill, home invasion is classified as a first-degree offense and residential burglary as a second-degree offense. It extends imprisonment for those convicted of a home invasion or burglary in possession of a firearm and permits juveniles to be tried as adults if charged while in possession of a firearm.
“Edison has been hit by home invasions and burglaries. I have been pushing penalties for any individual including juveniles who commit home invasions and burglaries. This effort has led to my testimony before the New Jersey Senate and Assembly committee. I am pleased to announce that the senate and the Assembly have passed the bill. I thank Senator Pat Diegnan, Assemblyman Sterley Stanley, Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Senator Vin Gopal, and Senator Brian Stack, as well as all of those involved in advocating for this bill,” said Joshi in a released statement, “I look forward to the passage of this bill for the safety and security of our residents.”
Joshi has been discussing this issue with members of the state assembly since March 2023. In that time, Joshi hired more police officers to make the department the largest it has been in 15 years, according to the Mayor’s office.
Chief of Edison Township Police Department, Thomas Bryan, said “This legislation is a major step forward in our ongoing efforts to combat the rise of burglaries and home invasions. In addition to this legislative victory, we have increased our Police force to 195 officers, the most in 15 years. We launched a street crimes unit and expanded our K-9 unit.”
Added DEP chief Robert Dudash, “ We have also installed over 100 license plate readers throughout Edison township. We have also opened two police stations for a greater police presence.
Mayor Sam Joshi concluded, “The safety of Edison residents remains our top priority and we will continue fighting until this bill becomes a law.”
Mayor Joshi and the Edison Police have been urging the state to enact stricter sentencing for juveniles since March, when three teenagers attempted to steal a car outside of the Patel Brothers.
