Edison, NJ Holds Public Forum In Wake Of Home Invasions

EDISON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Officials in a central New Jersey town held a public safety forum Wednesday night in the wake of recent home invasions that targeted Asian-Indian residents.

Officials discussed home security and crime prevention.

As WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported, anger from the standing room only crowd bubbled over at time.

"There's no proactive approach to this, every time is a reactive situation," one man said.

Many in the Asian-Indian community are calling for more street cops and patrols, 1010 WINS' Holli Haerr reported.

"This happens every year. It's a no brainer. Put more boots on the ground, have more patrolmen," one man suggested.

"Presentations and lectures are fine, but they should really step up," another man said.

Police Chief Thomas Bryan said the town is hiring more than a dozen officers and that state police and FBI are on the case.

"I will capture and all my resources to bring you to justice," Bryan said.

In each of the robberies, two or more masked men with handguns entered the homes through rear entrances before tying up the victims and ransacking the homes, prosecutors said.

No arrests have been made. Police and prosecutors would not disclose whether the same suspects were involved in all of the late-night home invasions.

Crime Stoppers of Middlesex County is offering a cash reward to anyone who provides information leading to an arrest in the case. Crime Stoppers can be reached at (800) 939-9600, by going to middlesextips.com, or by texting 274637 and entering "midtip" followed by a message.

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