UPDATE: Statement from Robbinsville Township Council Regarding BAPS Investigation
April 10, 2023
Members of Township Council are profoundly disturbed by the recent findings at dwellings on North Main Street and Voelbel Road. The conditions found within those buildings, the number of occupants residing there, along with the myriad of Fire Code and Uniform Construction Code violations are obviously unacceptable. The safety and well-being of all residents and visitors to Robbinsville Township is paramount, and we will continue to do everything within our power to hold the person(s) responsible for these violations accountable. As Mayor Dave Fried stated previously in media interviews, all the houses known to be boarding dozens of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha volunteers have been shut down with some deemed uninhabitable until all required repairs are completed, and inspections conducted. All Code violations found will be pursued in Municipal Court. Robbinsville Township Administration and the Police Department have referred the case to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. While outside agencies are investigating, including the FBI, we ask for your patience as they carefully and methodically review the case.
While we understand people want to know all the details as soon as issues occur, that is not always possible because those pieces of information could very well disrupt and even derail an investigation. There is a team of people working hard every day to keep everyone safe. Please keep in mind Robbinsville officials, with the help of residents, initiated these raids.
Please continue to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the Township Administration and our Police Department. Also feel free to reach out to us at council@robbinsville.net.
Sincerely,
Debbie Blakely – President
Mike Todd – Vice President
Chris Ciaccio
Ron Witt
Mike Cipriano
**********
April 7, 2023
Update from Mayor Dave Fried:
“I want to give a brief update on the BAPS situation. The Town became aware of volunteers being housed by other volunteers in unsafe conditions. Robbinsville obtained warrants and have condemned the unsafe structures. We have alerted the prosecutor’s office. Leadership at BAPS has informed us of other houses where volunteers have been housed. Those houses have been shut down. Robbinsville will not tolerate anyone living in unsafe conditions. If you see something that you think could be a concern or large amounts of people living in a dwelling. Please let us know. We are here to serve you. If you see something, say something even if you are not sure.”
April 3, 2023
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)—MidJersey.news has learned that Police, Fire, Construction Officials and Federal agents were at a house in the 100 Block of Voelbel Road in the Windsor section of the Township this morning for an investigation. It was discovered that twenty-two beds were in a house that they believe was being used as a rooming house for housing BAPS “Volunteers”. The house was posted with an orange “Unsafe Structure” notice on the front entrance door.
Mayor Dave Fried stated that he was aware of the situation and it seems to be a pattern we are obviously very concerned for anyone living in unsafe conditions in Robbinsville Township.
Mayor Fried said, “We are going to continue to investigate all reports of unsafe living conditions in Robbinsville”
Fried stated that the Township has alerted other authorities and there is an ongoing Federal investigation but could not comment on specifics of the investigation.
Police, construction officials, fire officials and Federal agents at a house on Voelbel Road in the Windsor section of the Township this morning.
The last incident with a rooming house in Robbinsville was on March 15, 2023 on North Main Street.
Robbinsville Ambulance 40, EMS workers responded to 93 North Main Street in Windsor on March 15, 2023 for a person believed to be having a stroke. When the ambulance crew entered the structure “A40 single gas CO monitor began to alarm.” Warning the ambulance crew of carbon monoxide present. The Fire/EMS report states “The patient was removed from the building and into the ambulance for further assessment. A40 transported with ALS to RWJ Hamilton. Squad 40 remained on scene and investigated the CO alarm.”
The Robbinsville Police Department report states police responded with Ambulance 40 and Engine 40 for a patient with possible stroke symptoms. As the EMT’s were evaluating the patient the EMT’s carbon monoxide detector emitted a warning about carbon monoxide levels in the dwelling.
The Robbinsville Police Department report also stated that the “building was currently housing thirty-three female work volunteers for the BAPS Temple (112 North Main Street).”
Read the full story at the link below:
MidJersey.News 
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