Residents press council for more patrols on New Brunswick Avenue over nightly racing and loud mufflers

Residents urged the Perth Amboy City Council on Jan. 14 to increase police presence on New Brunswick Avenue after repeated complaints about street racing, loud mufflers and traffic that they say threatens seniors’ quality of life.

One resident who identified herself as living across from McDonald’s said she had provided petitions and video evidence and described nightly racing that sometimes continues into the early morning hours. "We need more police presence on New Brunswick Avenue and... we need them all the time there so this can stop," she said, adding that she had been in contact with Capt. Tran and the state police without seeing a long-term resolution.

Police Chief (name not provided) told the council that officers had been assigned to the area for multiple evenings and that officers had documented some traffic and loud muffler incidents. He said the department’s electronic speed surveys showed an average speed below the limit — roughly 34 mph — with a single recorded top speed of about 59 mph over the period the chief mentioned. He emphasized that in-field observations and data did not fully match some public impressions of frequent high-speed events.

Why it matters: Residents described a continuing quality-of-life and safety problem affecting seniors and other neighbors. The chief described enforcement activity but said staffing and competing calls can limit continuous coverage; the council and public appear poised to press for additional targeted enforcement and continued data collection.

What’s next: The chief indicated officers will continue to patrol the area and compile data; residents urged further action and suggested follow-up reports on enforcement outcomes.

Source: Public comment and police chief remarks, Perth Amboy City Council meeting transcript, Jan. 14, 2026.