The conflict on February 18th in Menlo Park Mall raises concerns about public security in Edison. Are kids safe in public spaces? Should parents make curfews? How can the county improve safety?

According to NJ.com, the first fight occurred around 6:30 P.M. and involved a group of 20-30 individuals surrounded by about 100 onlookers. Law enforcement from Edison, North and East Brunswick, Piscataway, and NJ State Police were on scene. Minutes after the fights took place, several TikToks gained significant traction, spreading the news.

Reports from news outlet SNBC13 announced no evidence of gunfire; furthermore, reports from Edison-Metuchen Patch indicated that no one was stabbed. A 19-year-old male from New Brunswick was charged with rioting, obstruction, and disorderly conduct; a 15-year-old was charged with rioting and simple assault. 

Menlo Park Mall is a vital component of youth culture in Edison, offering a location for EHS students to shop and eat. The recent altercation has highlighted the necessity for Edison Township to address safety concerns for the well-being of all residents and visitors. In response to the conflict, Edison Deputy Chief Robert Dudash stated that the Edison Police Department will collaborate closely with Menlo Park Mall security to prevent any future incidents.

Edison’s police department and mall security staff are taking measures to ensure that similar conflicts do not occur in the future. This situation also raises concerns about safety in schools, another crowded public setting.

Oftentimes, in school, security concerns are raised due to the possibility of shootings. To address these issues, thousands of educational facilities have implemented weapon detectors, visitor protocols, and security cameras. These new measures reflect a positive step towards ensuring a secure learning environment, with many schools creating a Department of Security. 

This event raises questions about how Edison should address safety concerns to protect residents, a vast majority of whom are students. The Menlo Park Mall incident is a clear example of how threats are imposed on innocent bystanders. Ongoing measures to improve public safety are being developed to ensure that residents are protected.