Bedford town officials have scheduled a community meeting for Thursday to discuss public safety and security in light of the Nov. 24 home invasion and assault of an anesthesiologist and his wife.

The community meeting comes after police gave conflicting statements in the days following the attack, first saying residents had no reason to increase their vigilance, then warning residents that an individual could be at loose in the community and strike again.

On Tuesday, the New Hampshire Union Leader quoted residents who expressed frustration over the lack of answers from police.

Early Tuesday night, Police Chief John Bryfonski and Town Manager Jessie Levine issued a joint statement saying that a meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Bedford High School theater.

Eduardo Quesada, 52, an anesthesiologist and pain medicine doctor, was assaulted about 10 p.m. in his home. Police have said his bloodied and injured wife, Sonia Quesada, ran to a neighbor's house to report the burglary. She has been released from the hospital, but her husband's injuries are more severe.

"The town of Bedford and Bedford Police Department recognize that this crime and the subsequent dissemination of information caused Bedford residents to question their safety. Both the physical safety and security of our residents as well as the sense of safety and security are of paramount concern," the statement reads.

Officials invited the public and said the meeting will "address community concerns regarding public safety and sense of security following the home invasion on Proclamation Court."

1998 home purchase

Meanwhile, a Lakes Region Realtor said she remembered Quesada from 1998 when he purchased a modest home in Gilford. He had landed a job at Lakes Region General Hospital and had just moved to the area, said Karen Beane of Blue Water Realty Group.

"He was a nice guy. He was not married at the time," Beane said. "He was just starting off as a young doctor."

His English was not good, she said. He was expecting a visit from his parents from South America.

According to property records, Quesada purchased the home at 100 Dockham Shore Road. Tax stamps place the transaction at $284,200. Beane said the home was located across the road from lakeside property. He sold it two years later.

Quesada built his luxury, Adirondack-style home in Bedford in 2007. It is now listed for sale for $1.4 million.

Working tirelessly

Police last week said that the Quesadas described the intruder as being at least 6 feet in height with a black ski mask and dark clothing. The couple's 2-year-old was in the house but was not harmed.

In the statement, police said they are working tirelessly in pursuit of the person or persons responsible for the attack.

"The December 6 community meeting is an effort to assist residents in understanding what has been done, what is being done and what residents themselves can do to help the Police Department improve the overall safety of the community," the statement reads.

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Mark Hayward may be reached at mhayward@unionleader.com.