China News Service, July 1st. According to the US "World Journal" report, the recent surge in crime in the Vietnamese community of Little Saigon in East Oakland, the United States, has frequently encountered violent robberies and other cases. Asian merchants and residents are miserable. Some proprietors said that because Due to the double blow of the epidemic and public security, business has dropped by one-third compared to before the epidemic.
Oakland Police Chief Bill, Oakland City Councilor Sheng Tao, City Councilor Liqi Office Director Tiffany Kang, City Councilor Reid Office Representative, Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce Chairman Jennifer Chen, Chinatown Chamber of Commerce Chairman Chen Xipeng, Oakland Chinatown Community Promotion Association Operations Director Li Jiaxin and others held a press conference on June 29.
A joint letter from 150 businesses was released at the meeting, calling on the city council to implement three measures to maintain law and order at the mid-term budget meeting, such as funding the establishment of an Oakland police station in the community, increasing patrols, and recruiting Vietnamese-speaking police officers. Approved funds to conduct feasibility study of Dongmeihu Community Business Promotion Zone, etc.
Chinese proprietors: shootings, robberies emerge in endlessly
At the press conference on June 29, Asian proprietors complained about the soaring crime rate.
The owner of a laundromat lamented that as early as 1 pm one day in February this year, in broad daylight, customers were robbed at gunpoint at the door of the laundromat and beaten while waiting for their clothes to dry.
The owner of a jewelry store, Mr. Lai, said that over the years, he has witnessed numerous violent crimes, including shootings and robberies at the door of the store.
His shop was broken into many times, and he even slept on the second floor of the shop for two years due to concerns about safety.
"We've been calling for help, and the city seems to be treating us like a dump. These troublemakers need the city's help too, or they'll go back and forth."
Ms. Zhao, the proprietor of Xin Guoxing Supermarket, said that she had opened a supermarket in East Auckland for 13 years, and the community was relatively safe before.
However, after the epidemic, public security in the business district has deteriorated, and it has intensified since the beginning of this year.
In the past month or so, the windows of vehicles parked by customers in the supermarket parking lot have been smashed for three consecutive weeks.
She has seen people robbed less than a block away after shopping at the supermarket.
There were also customers who walked to the intersection, and there was a shootout nearby. The criminals fired six shots in a row, and the customers were very frightened.
Her daughter, who lives on 12th Street, came home at night to find someone parked in the driveway.
She hurriedly backed up the car to find another parking space.
As a result, the robbers drove behind.
When the robber rushed down and hit the window with a pistol, the daughter sped away in fear.
The other party was driving in hot pursuit.
Because her daughter was driving faster, she got rid of the arrogant murderer.
Due to the impact of the epidemic, coupled with the endless emergence of crimes such as robbery, many customers are afraid to go out to shop.
Ms. Zhao's supermarket business has been affected, and its turnover has dropped by one-third compared to before the epidemic.
She wants police to increase patrols.
The community can follow the example of Oakland Chinatown and form a volunteer patrol team to maintain law and order through a multi-pronged approach.
MPs call for funding to maintain law and order in Little Sai Kung
In a letter to the city council, the Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce asked the city to consider the community's need for safety.
For example, building an Oakland Police Station in the Clinton Plaza Entertainment Center near East Beautiful Lake and leasing offices for the police station will cost 48,000 yuan a year in rent and operating expenses.
Run a crime-fighting program within the community and bring in Vietnamese-speaking officers.
And immediately resume the 62,500-yuan allocation that was cancelled due to the epidemic to implement the feasibility report of the Dongmeihu (including Little Saigon) community business improvement zone.
After passing the improved area, a property appraisal fee can be collected to help maintain the safety of the community and promote the commercial area.
Jennifer Chen and Li Jiaxin both said that they are helping to contact the Oakland Chinatown Social Security Team of the East Bay Taishan Association to help the Vietnamese community build a volunteer patrol team.
Li Qi announced her mid-term budget proposal on June 28, which includes an allocation of $110,500 for business support and safety resources in Little Saigon.
She said, “Looking forward to continuing to work with businesses, community members and organizations, and city leaders to address urgent safety needs and long-term goals of revitalizing the neighborhood, including finding solutions to start and beautify Clinton Park and expand youth, family programs and Clinton Fair use of recreation centers."
Sheng Tao said that she is very happy to support Little Saigon's budget of more than 110,000 yuan.
“I want to do more. We need to make sure we create safety in Little Saigon. That means putting community ambassadors, people who can work with the community, know the community, people who can really work with the police department. Helping the police department fill in as well. Manpower is vacant." Sheng Tao said that she will also work with Li Qi to help the community win back the feasibility study funds for the business improvement zone.
(Liu Xianjin)