China News Service, January 21. According to the US "World Journal" report, recent crimes have occurred frequently in the Chinatown of Oakland, California.
The Chinatown Chamber of Commerce promotes the establishment of community organizations, hoping to levy property evaluation fees on properties in the commercial area to raise funds to hire security guards to improve the public security environment.
However, some merchants in Chinatown believe that the income of the merchants has decreased during the epidemic, and their income is not enough to make ends meet. Some shops may not even be able to open their doors for business, and may not have the money to pay.
The property evaluation fee levied on properties in commercial areas is a fee charged by government agencies on real properties for special benefits.
The Chinatown Chamber of Commerce previously stated that it can raise funds to hire security guards, clean up graffiti, and solve problems such as illegal dumping and homelessness, but it needs the owners' referendum to pass before implementation.
The Chamber of Commerce believes that this can alleviate the security impact caused by the reduction of patrol officers.
However, some merchants said that Chinatown needs organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce to have a stronger voice in front of the city government.
But levying property evaluation fees, worried that the funds will not be implemented.
Although the government stated that it will charge a special fund for the benefit of Chinatown, it still has doubts.
"I'm afraid that I will receive 10 million. Only a few hundred thousand will be used in Chinatown. Most of it will be diverted for other purposes. The citizens have no way to supervise.
Eric, who is doing business in Chinatown, said that the epidemic has greatly reduced the income of Chinatown merchants, and some stores did not even open their doors because of fear of infection.
"If the store does not open, naturally there is no income and no money to pay rent. It is estimated that some stores will be closed after some time. It is difficult for merchants to maintain ordinary business. How can they pay the increased property evaluation fee? I'm worried." (Liu Xianjin)