China News Service, January 17. According to the US "Chicago Chinese Tribune" newspaper, after the outbreak of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the public security in Chicago, the United States has continued to deteriorate.

According to data released by the Chicago Police Department on January 1, 2022: There will be 797 shooting homicides in 2021, more homicides than any other city in the United States, and Chicago's most violent year on record.

At the same time, crime in Chinatown increased by 55%, and innocent fellow citizens were killed.

Serious security risks have had a great negative impact on the life and work of the Chinese community.

  Recently, the Greater Chicago Overseas Chinese Federation initiated a petition to the mayor of Chicago and the city government to improve public order and jointly signed a petition for the community's public order.

The event was voluntarily signed by 109 Chinese organizations, including the American Chinese Scientists, Engineers and Professionals Association, the American Chinese Overseas Exchange Association, and the Chicago Wuyi Association.

  This "petition letter from the Chinese community in the greater Chicago area to the mayor on the current public security crisis" pointed out that in recent years, the Chicago Chinatown community has experienced many violent incidents such as shootings, robberies, carjackings and store smashing, making this closely linked of the Chinese community has become the target of violence by criminals.

In the past two years, only Chinese people were shot and killed:

  On December 7, 2021, a 71-year-old Chinatown resident surnamed Xie was brutally killed by a 23-year-old man with 22 shots on his way from home to buy a newspaper.

  On November 9, 2021, a 24-year-old Chinese student surnamed Zheng was shot and killed on the campus of the University of Chicago.

  On September 27, 2021, a 57-year-old deliveryman surnamed Shao was tragically shot while delivering food.

  On February 9, 2021, two residents of Chinatown were murdered on the same day.

  On January 9, 2021, a young Chinese student surnamed Fan was shot to death at the University of Chicago.

  On December 21, 2020, Mr. Guan, who was only 33 years old, was shot and killed in the Bridgeport area.

  Therefore, the Chinese strongly urge the city government to develop a long-term plan that can effectively solve the problem, make anti-crime and violence a top priority, and increase surveillance and police patrols in the Chicago Chinatown community.

  The petition letter solemnly puts forward seven specific demands and appeals to the mayor and the city government:

  1. The Chinese call on the city government to answer the big question the Chinese have been seeking answers to, namely why it seems so easy for repeat offenders to return to the streets.

Of all the tragedies in the Chinatown community, most of those gruesome murders were committed by repeat offenders.

The Chinese are calling on the city to form a stronger partnership between the state attorney's office and the Chicago Police Department to develop programs to prevent repeat offenders from harming the community.

The Chinese also called on the city government to work with federal and state law enforcement agencies to develop and implement effective strategies to combat and prosecute the criminal organizations behind repeat offenders.

  2. The Chinese call on the city government to take major gun control measures to prevent people with a criminal history, sentenced or mental illness from acquiring guns.

Gun violence is the leading cause of death and injury in vicious cases of robbery, vandalism and carjacking in Chinatown.

  3. The Chinese call on the city government to ask the federal government for help to stop the circulation of illegal weapons in Chicago; reduce violence, including gang crime.

  4. The Chinese call on the city government to increase the police force in Chinatown and surrounding areas, strengthen patrols, and defend the Chinatown community.

And recruit Chinese-speaking police officers to help victims overcome language barriers and deal with violent cases in a timely manner.

  5. The Chinese call on the city government to hold regular meetings with representatives of the Chinese community and work with Chinatown residents to implement regulations and advocate for state and federal policies and legislation related to public safety and violence prevention.

  6. The Chinese call on the city government to add more Police Surveillance (POD) camera technology installations in the Chinatown area.

The Chinatown community looks forward to working with the City and the Chicago Police Department, as well as local city councillors, to develop a long-term technical plan to protect the Chinatown area.

  7. The Chinese call on the city government to vigorously strengthen the neighborhood watch in Chinatown and provide financial support.

The best way to improve law and order in the Chinese community is to involve the entire community.

  The "petition letter" finally said that the Chinese community in Chicago loves the city of Chicago, which is a beautiful home for Chinese.

The Chinese belong to this city and are part of this city.

But the current high crime rate in Chicago has seriously affected the life, work and community development of Chinese.

Now is the time for the city government to take the safety of the Chinese community seriously and take practical steps to improve safety in Chinatown and surrounding areas.

  The City of Chicago has the responsibility and obligation to ensure the safety of the Chinese community and Chicago Chinatown.

The Chinese sincerely hope that the municipal government can hear the voices of the Chinese and take immediate concrete actions on the above demands.

  It is reported that the English document of this "petition letter" has been emailed to the mayor and the city government on January 14, and it has also been copied to the mayors (council members) of the 25th and 11th districts where the Chinese are relatively concentrated. them.

(David Zhang)