Somerset County Sheriff Increases Patrols In Asian Communities

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Somerset County Sheriff Darrin Russo is working with the Asian American communities across the county and increasing patrols in light of the Atlanta shootings last week.

"We have seen an uptick in harassment towards Asians," said Russo. "This has been going on since COVID began."

Russo said there have been reports of people yelling racial slurs or "COVID" at Asian Americans in Somerset County.

Now with the most recent shootings on March 16, Russo has reached out to the Asian community leaders to see what else he can do.

The shooting resulted in eight people, all of Asian American descent, being killed at massage parlors in Acworth and Atlanta. Read More: 8 Killed In 3 Massage Parlor Shootings, 1 Arrested: Police

Particularly Russo said patrols were increased in the Franklin Township and North Plainfield areas and Asian places of worship within the county.

This is part of Russo's efforts to stop the hate in Somerset County. In January 2020, Russo launched a new Hate Crimes Awareness and Prevention Unit, which is overseen by Undersheriff Tim Pino.

Russo stressed the importance of reporting any type of hate or bias crime to help authorities keep an eye on it.

To make a report:

• Call 911
• Somerset County Sheriff's Office - 908-231-7140
• Somerset County Prosecutor's Office - 908-231-7100
• NJ Attorney General's Office Bias Hotline - 1-800-277 BIAS(2427)

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