Piscataway mayor cracking down on crime at 2 motels
Complaints include theft, disorderly conduct, harassment, prostitution and even evidence of a meth lab.
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The mayor of Piscataway says crime is out of control at two motels within the township.
Mayor Brian Wahler is offering up police data that shows police officers responded to 680 incident calls at the Motel 6 and 175 calls at the Extended Stay in Piscataway since January.
Complaints include theft, disorderly conduct, harassment, prostitution and even evidence of a meth lab.
To reduce those numbers Mayor Wahler is pushing a new plan to ensure people leave those motels after 30-days.
Complaints include theft, disorderly conduct, harassment, prostitution and even evidence of a meth lab.
“It is really taxing our police department, and our emergency services, because it’s not just the PD responding to calls. It’s EMS it’s fire,” said Mayor Wahler.
Wahler believe the state and social service agencies are paying for people in need to stay in motels without any follow up.
However homeless advocates are concerned that those who truly need housing and those who are using these motels as a lifeline, may unnecessarily get caught up in this new ordinance.
Staci Berger is the president of the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey.
She’s also a Piscataway resident.
“I’m not sure why the mayor has chosen 30 days as a timeframe. It is not best practices. It is not something most housing providers recommend.
People stay in hotels and motels because they don’t have a place to go. I don’t know where Mayor Wahler thinks people will go after 30 days,” said Berger.
Recently, homeless advocates protested against a plan to possibly fine or jail homeless people in Piscataway.
That plan was cancelled.
The Mayor plans to unveil the new ordinance concerning motel stays in January.
