China News Service, August 26. According to the US "World Journal" report, Chinese businesses in Elmhurst, Queens, New York, U.S. have been severely affected by the epidemic. Recently, shops have gradually reopened and restaurants have begun to develop outdoor dining. However, due to the existence of nomads in the community, businesses are worried that the nomads without masks will scare away customers. In this regard, New York Mayor Bai Sihao said that he has understood the homeless problem in Elmhurst and will require relevant units to resolve it as soon as possible.
Broadway Avenue and Inter-Whitney Avenue in the Elmhurst area of Queens District, New York, are areas where small Chinese businesses are concentrated. Prior to the outbreak of the epidemic, businesses closed one after another, and deserted streets became gathering places for homeless people. As the epidemic slows and businesses resume work, homeless people still occupy the area, and incidents such as littering and drunken troubles often occur, making local businesses miserable.
According to the complaint data of 311 (U.S. non-emergency help system telephone), there were 49 complaints about community camping on Broadway Avenue and Whitney Avenue in 4 months. However, Chen Yi, a Chinese businessman who often assists in complaints, said that nearly 50 complaints were eventually marked as "handled", "non-criminal correction" or "refused to assist" and other cases were closed. At present, homeless people usually return to the streets in the afternoon and evening when the temperature drops, which coincides with the time when many restaurants start outdoor dining.
Chen Yi said that the opening of dine-in food is still far away. Commercial businesses in Elmhurst and nearby Jackson Heights are making every effort to develop outdoor dining. However, most Chinese stores are barbecue restaurants that only open in the afternoon, even if the businesses have used tents, flower pots and other obstacles. The outdoor dining area and the road are separated by objects. Many people still worry that customers will be approached and harassed by the community camped vagrants when they dine. The dining experience will be greatly reduced and they will not come back.
Previously, in order to encourage merchants to develop outdoor dining, local councillor Daniel Dromm said that it would provide equipment subsidies, and at the same time assist merchants in resuming work by reducing or exempting related fines. In this regard, Chen Yi said that he also informed Daniel Dromm of the influence of the homeless people on the merchants, and hoped that he and the city government will work out a plan for resettling the homeless people as soon as possible. "The community hopes that the city government will provide substantial assistance to the homeless people, providing them with stable housing resources, counseling or job opportunities."
Regarding Bai Sihao's feedback on the vagrant problem, Chen Yi said that although the city government has not yet obtained a specific solution plan, the business people are willing to give another 1 to 2 weeks to draw up, otherwise they will take action to ask the government to face the problem squarely.
Relevant departments in New York City stated that the prerequisite for mobilizing staff to successfully persuade the vagrant is to first establish a relationship and trust with the other party. "It is never easy or quick to deal with people. It requires perseverance, empathy and time." (Lai Huiyu)