Edison Officials Demand Mall Security Overhaul After 7 Teens Arrested in Massive Brawl

Edison Township officials are demanding significant security upgrades at Menlo Park Mall following a massive weekend brawl involving hundreds of teenagers that led to seven arrests. The incident, which occurred Saturday evening at approximately 8 p.m., began when police were alerted to about 100 young people gathering at the mall, with the crowd quickly swelling to approximately 300 individuals, according to Patch.com.

Mayor Sam Joshi and Police Chief Thomas Bryan held a press conference on Monday to address the situation and outline their demands for Simon Properties, the mall’s owner. “This behavior will not be tolerated in Edison Township. We will ensure that Edison remains a safe community for all residents and visitors alike,” Joshi stated during the briefing.

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Social Media Fueled Gathering

Authorities believe the incident was sparked by social media activity, with TikTok and Instagram videos circulating days before encouraging people to meet at the mall. According to People.com, videos promoting a “Menlo Park Linkup” for Saturday received over 150,000 views, drawing teens from across the region to the shopping center.

All seven juveniles arrested were from outside Edison, coming from surrounding communities including Fords, Woodbridge, Hillsborough, New Brunswick, Linden, and Port Reading. One of the teens faces charges of assaulting a police officer, while the others face disorderly conduct charges, with one additionally charged with resisting arrest.

Demands for Enhanced Security

Township officials are now demanding that Simon Properties implement several security enhancements, including the installation of license plate readers throughout the property, additional surveillance cameras across the mall, significantly increased private security presence (especially during weekends and peak hours), and consideration of a mandatory adult escort policy for juveniles during certain times.

“My administration strives to have these expectations met in a timely manner. We look forward to our continued cooperation with Simon Properties,” added Joshi, emphasizing that while a police substation exists at the mall to reduce response times, security ultimately remains the responsibility of the property owner.

Pattern of Incidents

This is not the first such incident at Menlo Park Mall. Officials noted that the shopping center has experienced multiple disturbances over the past year, with similar mall disruptions becoming increasingly common, driven in part by social media trends. In February 2024, another fight broke out in the food court, resulting in the arrest of a teenager from Newark, according to Daily Voice.

During Saturday’s incident, stores were forced to drop their security gates as the crowd size grew and behavior deteriorated. Video footage showed security in one store escorting customers out through back exits to avoid the main area where the disturbance was occurring.

Community Impact

Menlo Park Mall is a significant two-level super regional shopping center in Edison, featuring major retailers like Macy’s and Nordstrom, along with numerous dining options. As a vital component of local retail and social spaces, maintaining safety at the location is a priority for township officials.

No weapons were recovered during the incident, and officials reported no injuries occurred during the disruption. Edison Police required assistance from neighboring jurisdictions to restore order after the brawl erupted and disrupted mall operations.

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