EDISON, NJ — A police substation has opened in town for the second time this spring, this one located at Menlo Park Mall off Route 1, with the goal of enhancing public safety.
The new Menlo Park Substation, situated in the former Jos. A. Bank space on the mall’s lower level between the parking deck and Barnes & Noble, held its grand opening last week with Mayor Sam Joshi and Police Chief Thomas Bryan in attendance.
According to Joshi, the substation was renovated within the store area and includes a holding space as well as command-level staffing.
The mayor noted that the mall location was chosen because, on average, the Edison Police Department receives nearly 700 calls related to the property each year—roughly two calls per day. So far this year, officials say more than 250 calls have already come in during the first five months.
The roughly $45,000 substation is expected to provide better public access and community engagement, increased police visibility, faster response times, and reduced travel for officers, according to officials.
Joshi explained that officers will save about sixty minutes of travel time by not having to drive from the mall to police headquarters, which sits along heavily congested Route 27.
“The Menlo Park Mall Substation will improve our ability to handle law enforcement matters quickly and maintain an active patrol presence,” Bryan said. “There will also be a command-level officer monitoring the substation.”
The mayor added that the substation serves not only the mall but also the surrounding neighborhood, so it will remain open during mall hours plus some additional time. Beyond the mall itself, the area includes a Target store across the street, several nearby restaurants, and an AMC theater.
Joshi thanked Menlo Park Mall’s management and security teams for their support of the project.
Earlier this spring, Joshi called for stricter penalties for juvenile offenders during the opening of Edison’s first police substation of the year on Oak Tree Road in the township’s northern section—a response to a rise in youth-related home invasions and burglaries across the state.
According to Joshi, public safety remains a top priority for the township, which currently has 196 officers on the force—the highest number in 15 years.
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