N.J. mall needs chaperone policy, more security, mayor says after Menlo Park brawl

Edison Township officials want more measures taken at Menlo Park Mall — including cameras and a chaperone policy — to prevent a repeat incident of the massive teen meetup that turned violent on Saturday

As a private entity, the mall must do more to ensure rambunctious teens don’t assemble and spark violence, Mayor Sam Joshi said. Local police said they were unaware about the plans that were being shared on TikTok for teens to converge on the mall.

“Had we known of it ahead of time, we would have addressed it,” Joshi said. “It’s up to Simon Malls and Menlo Park Mall to take preventative measures. It’s their property.”

Seven teens were arrested and an officer was injured. One of the seven teenagers apprehended was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, Police Chief Tom Bryan said.

One of the township’s officers was injured while fighting to control the brawl, he said. It was unclear the injured officer is associated with the teen’s charges.

Edison Township officials and the shopping plaza’s administrator formally met Monday in the aftermath, Joshi and Bryan told NJ Advance Media.

Bryan said the case remained under investigation Monday.

Calls to 911 began around 8 p.m. reporting the fight, suggesting about 100 juveniles, who, according to the mayor, were from neighboring towns, became overbearing. Videos of the crowd surfaced on social media. One such video posted to X, showed a crowd of minors running through the food court.

Mall officials on Monday condemned the violence while saying they were “grateful” for police who intervened. It also pledged to not tolerate unruly behavior.

“The safety and security of our retailers, employees and customers is our highest priority,” Menlo Park Mall, which is owned by Simon Property Group Inc., based in Indiana, said in a statement.

They said the mall deploys around-the-clock security. Likewise, license plate readers and security cameras can be found around the property.

In Monday’s meeting with mall administrators, Joshi said township officials are requesting more readers and cameras on the premises. As with other malls in New Jersey, the mayor said he’s asking the mall to form a chaperone policy. Some of those elsewhere in the state, such as at the Cherry Hill and Deptford malls, forbid minors unaccompanied by an adult from being on the grounds past a set time.

Meanwhile, license plate readers, he said, flag cars affiliated with warrants or other criminal investigations. It also helps authorities record who frequents the mall.

“Menlo Park Mall is a thriving mall in Central New Jersey, which is now rare,” Joshi said. “It’s a mall that I also grew up attending, and I want to see it continue to thrive. This type of crowd-gathering nuisance won’t be tolerated.

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Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.