Residents want action on reputed gang safe house
Police hopeful June 28 meeting with landlord has helped situation
BY CHRIS GAETANO
Staff Writer

SCOTT PILLING staff The residents of this Jeffrey Circle house have been accused of drug dealing, vandalism, theft and harboring fugitives. It was raided by South Brunswick police two weeks ago.

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - Residents of Jeffrey Circle called on police last week to address daily criminal activity in their neighborhood, much of which they allege is emanating from a single house.

The dwelling in question, located on Jeffrey Circle, was the subject of a police raid about two weeks ago.

"The residents of Jeffrey Circle are no longer willing to hide in fear at the criminal activity occurring on a daily basis at 84 Jeffrey Circle," neighbor Karen Cohen said.

Cohen addressed the council during its June 26 meeting, speaking for about 15 other residents who came with her. She rattled off a list of various offenses the police have been called to the neighborhood for, including underage drinking, mail theft, vandalism, weapons possession, general disruptions of the peace, and drug dealing. She also said that a dog belonging to a person living at 84 Jeffrey Circle had been harassing members of the community. Bringing up the recent police raid, she also said that the house was a gang hideout that harbored known fugitives.

"We can't have this in our town." - Charles Carley councilman

During the raid, police apprehended Brian Brown, 18, of New Brunswick, who was suspected of an earlier burglary in Kendall Park, as well as Raheem Brown, 24, of Plainsboro, on weapons charges, and Christopher Johnson, 25, also of Plainsboro, for possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute. The police acted on information from the Gang Intelligence Unit, which told officers that the house was being used as a hideout for gang members.

Cohen said that there are gang markers in the neighborhood to designate the area as the territory of the Crips street gang and noted that gang incursions into South Brunswick would affect the entire town.

"On a personal plea, there are young children in the neighborhood, there are elderly people in the neighborhood, there are widows in the neighborhood. No one is safe at night, children are not safe during the day," said Cohen.

She laid much of the blame on the landlord of the Jeffrey Circle house that is rented by Doug Koester. She said that as long as the landlord gets his check each month, he's willing to look the other way when it comes to the alleged activities taking place there. The council agreed that action was needed.

"We can't have this in our town," Councilman Charles Carley said.

Detective Jim Ryan, the South Brunswick Police Department's public information officer, said that there have been increased patrols in the area for the past two months.

According to Ryan, on June 28, Chief Raymond Hayducka summoned the landlord to police headquarters, where a meeting with the landlord and the various residents took place in order to resolve the dispute between them. Ryan said this meeting was fruitful for all parties involved.

"The discussion was definitely well worth it, and all parties came out feeling a lot better about the situation and the response from the police," said Ryan.

With this in mind, Ryan said, it was time to move forward. He said that the chief reasserted his commitment to protecting the quality of life for South Brunswick residents, saying the police were there for anything the public needs regarding public safety, and that no one should live in fear. Ryan said that if there are any issues authorities can assist with, they're willing and eager to help.