Harrassment at Durham Woods!

[Priya]

I am resident in Durham Woods, Edison for the past 3 years and have heard of few mugging incidents in the complex myself. They were mainly directed at Indian elderly couples by few teenagers so much so that the victims were taken to emergency care.
I myself became a victim to this nuisance today (May 30 2009) while sitting and reading a book in MY OWN balcony at 3rd floor!! There were around 9-10 teenagers who threw water balloons at us in our own balcony at broad daylight and yelled abuses.

I guess the Durham Woods management and the security are to be blamed for not controlling this kind of nuisance and allowing everyone and anyone to rent out here without checking their background. These kind of incidents are at an alarming high and it is very unsafe to walk around the complex.

[steve]

This is disgusting and getting out of hand, i dont live there but enough is enough, ive heard alot of complaints from people of all backgrounds about these thugs!

[jon]

perhaps there are too many white trash in your neighborhood. In fact, there are too many white trash in Edison.

[Zane]

I encountered the same gang last night around 9:45 coming home to Park Gate. I made a left turn from Cooledge drive/road saw about more than 10 kids on the side walk as if wanting to cross the road, so I slowed down and next thing I knew my car was being pelted with hard hitting objects (later on I learned these were water filled balloons and God knows what else). I had a friend in the car with me, so I pulled over and got out of the car to check the damage and then dialed 911, while on the phone with 911, I chased the trail and caught up to the gang within couple of yards from where I had pulled over. There were more than ten black kids wearing white T-Shirts, they saw me and then attacked me with water ballons and then they came after me and started to physically pushed me around and knocked my glasses on the ground, and one of the kids yelled to others to snatch my phone. I picked my glasses and walked back to my car...mind you, I was still on the phone with the Police (Edison). I was informed that someone already has reported this and the officers are on their way. I got into the car and waited more than 10 minutes and then drove home all soaked.

Came home and inspected the car and found two noticeable dings which I will end up paying for.

I have lived in this area for about 10 years now and have not encountered anything like this, but when I was renting in Durham Woods back in 2004/5, I did however encountered such incidents which were being carried out by gang of African American teenagers.

I did meet up with the Police later in the evening. I don't foresee anything happening to these under age kids even if they are caught.

I will quietly pay $500 deductible and plus more to get the dings fixed and try to forget about it all, so have I been told that is the way to go.

So Jon, no white trash.

[Sham]

This community is betting worse, looks like this Edison is no more good place to live, specially this durhamwoods is loosing it’s charm. Having the disgusting and rude management and now these JUNK black kids in this community is making life very miserable.
This is surely 100% not a safe and good place to stay.

[durhamwoodstenan t]

On 6th, the same day Zane had experienced few kids,durham wood residents were chased by 10 kids. The following article gives the news:
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...
Zane, why don't u call "Tom Hayden, Star Ledger" and give your news.
Many incidents happened in 2007 and with Mayor/Police intervention things went good and now again the story is repeating. It is very scary to live in Durham woods.

[Zane]

Hello Durhamwoodstenant,

Thank you for your suggestion, I will try to knock at Tom Hayden's door. I don't have any faith in Police, and If I to draw a parallel between Durhamwoods management(namely Sharon), and those officers who show up after such incidents at the scene, and when they realize that the victim lacks the white color, their attitude changes right that moment leaving one feeling as if the entire fault was of none other than your own.

And speaking of the good guys, I cringe when I need to drive through Westfield, Highland Park, Middlesex, and South Plainfeld in evening hours or after sunset.

[Chakra]

I was living in Edison Woods, We are promised for different unit apt office and After a month ,just couple of days we wanted to move in , they forced us to take another unit saying some health inspection is not over kind of stories. As we have completed our moving plans there is no way to go back as we were moving from Upstate NY.

After few days we have noticed water started leaking in the given unit, Even there was some water in the Glass dome around one of the bulb in the basement, It was real scary about short circuit and current shock.

When we have called for maintenance, response was very bad, It was clear showing some racial discrimination, I'm in for so many year and interact with so many Americans on day to day basis. So it is not communication barrier it is more race.

Story doesn't end here, My Infiniti Car's xenon bulbs were stolen twice in 3 months time,each of the bulbs are $1700, when I have parked my car right in front of my townhouse. And also my Van side glass broke.

Even few of my friends started questioning did you fight or end up in some arguments with any of the tenants. I didn't even get a chance to interact much with any .

Cops came both the times, second time the cop didn't even bother to come out of the car to see.
When I had been to Edison Police station to collect the report, They are not even feeling any responsibility about this incident.., they said nothing can be done..

Well every day We were so scared and used to cover my car always worried as I heard some robberies in the same apartment complex. I have paid 1500$+ per month.

Finally we were so rushed to move to good locality end up buying some house as we wanted to run away from this place. Obviously when we rush things we end up making more mistakes.., now our house atleast 60k-70k below the rate we bought for....

Some sad story guys.., message of the story is Central Jersey is not being very safe place. But more money is here. Indian origins should be even more careful keeping Gold and expensive at homes.