Piscataway, NJ – Piscataway officials are moving to crack down on two local motels after a sharp rise in police, fire, and emergency calls tied to crime, drugs, and prostitution, according to Mayor Brian Wahler.
The focus is on the Motel 6 and the Extended Stay, which Wahler said have generated steadily increasing public safety calls over the past three to four years, with a significant spike in the past year. He said nearly 700 police, fire, and EMS responses have originated from the Motel 6 alone this year.
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The two motels are located at 410 S.Randolphville Road and 1012 Stelton Road.
Wahler said the township believes the State of New Jersey and multiple social service agencies are paying for homeless individuals and people recently released from prison to stay at the motels. He said there is little to no follow-up or oversight once individuals are placed there.
According to the mayor, Somerset County Social Services and Burlington County agencies are among those sending people to the motels. Wahler said the lack of supervision has contributed to ongoing criminal activity at the properties.
Piscataway police have responded to incidents at the two motels involving thefts, burglaries, prostitution, drug sales, and drug overdoses over the past two years.
Officials said rooms at the Extended Stay have been used as makeshift methamphetamine labs, with two meth lab explosions reported there in recent years.
Wahler said the problems have spilled into surrounding neighborhoods and businesses. He said individuals housed at the motels have defecated on public streets and near local businesses, and a nearby Lowe’s home improvement store has reported ongoing shoplifting incidents.
The mayor said township officials have attempted to contact the owners of both motels without success, describing them as absentee owners and managers who have not engaged with local authorities.
Piscataway officials say the Motel 6 and Extended Stay have generated hundreds of emergency calls and ongoing crime, prompting the township to take action against the properties.