Mayor Spearheads Campaign to Revitalize Edison’s Rt. 27, Shut Illegal Massage Parlors

EDISON, NJ — Mayor Sam Joshi announced Wednesday that his administration will be working on revitalizing Route 27 and cracking down on the operation of illegal massage parlors.

Route 27 is a stretch of highway that has been identified as a blighted area in the Township.

As a first step towards the revitalization, the administration has been working with the Edison Police Department, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office, and other law enforcement agencies to crackdown on illegal massage parlors in the area.

“Enhancing the quality of life for business owners and residents is a priority for my administration, and the illicit and illegal businesses on Route 27 have been an eyesore for our community for far too long and have no place in Edison Township,” Joshi said.

“This was our boldest covert operation to date that resulted in numerous arrests, asset seizures, and illicit business closures by the great men and women of the Edison Police Department’s Vice and Narcotic Unit.”

In total, the enforcement action resulted in the closure of nine spas/massage parlors engaging in prostitution, 20 people were arrested, and more than $550,000 was seized in asset forfeiture funds, Joshi’s office said. These funds will now be used for future police operations and the further improvement of public safety, officials said.

“I’m very proud of the Edison Police Department for taking on this initiative,” Police Chief Thomas Bryan said. “With the support of our Mayor and Township Council, we are taking comprehensive steps to clean up this roadway and begin improving the quality of life for the residents of the Edison Township community.”

Apart from the large-scale investigation and crackdown, Joshi has worked with the Council, Zoning, and Health Departments, to rezone the area to ensure illegal businesses are not authorized in the future.

Through the Zoning Board, Fire and Health departments, Edison has razed a number of structures that presented safety hazards to the public and were known to be used in criminal activities, the Mayor’s office said.

“We are using every resource within our authority to permanently change the perception of Route 27 and make it something our residents can be proud of,” Joshi said. “Ensuring these businesses don’t reopen or return in another form is extremely important to making lasting changes and preventing these types of activities from occurring in Edison.”

Here's a list of closed spas in Edison:

• Single family residence, 152 Edison Avenue.
• Acupressure, 161 Route 27.
• New Star Spa, 1813 Route 27.
• Sunny Health Center, 170 Talmadge Road.
• Sea Blue Spa, aka Ocean Mist Spa, 2056 B Lincoln hwy. Route 27.
• Bonhamtown Massage, 1716 Route 27, 2nd Flr.
• Garden day Spa, 1659 Lincoln Hwy. Route 27.
• Blue Sea Spa aka Ocean Mist Spa, 2056 B Lincoln Hwy. Route 27. For the second time after they reopened.
• Oak Tree Acupressure, 1910 Oak Tree Road.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com