HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Despite a million dollars in new security cameras and increased police patrols, Chinatown’s familiar problems persist.
“What we have is more homeless and mentally ill people who are on drugs. They’re mostly on heroin, they’re on crack cocaine,” said Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, president of Chinatown Business and Community Association.
The continual prospect of crime and violence has led families to stay away.
“Because when you have mentally ill people, you don’t know if something can erupt,” Shubert-Kwock said. “You cannot predict about the action of somebody high on drugs.”
It’s a tough reality for shopkeepers hoping for more foot traffic.
Small business owners like Rowena Sedaba, who works seven days a week, are feeling the strain.
“Because our business is awful because of the furloughs, not a lot of tourists come inside,” Sedaba said.
However, after years of pushing to make Chinatown safer, residents and businesses say there is progress.
Some have hired private security guards and installed more surveillance cameras.
With new safety measures in place, community members are inviting all those families who’ve stayed away to give the area another try.
“We want them to come and see for themselves and shock and be brave,” Shubert-Kwock said. “So far, we haven’t had any incidents on North Hotel. None of our merchants are below the rise or rock don’t have any windows broken in the last few weeks.”
“I think right now it’s fully safe, and because we have security guard, it’s shadowing everywhere,” Sedaba added.
And although there’s glimmers of hope to make Chinatown a safe and flourishing neighborhood, residents say more police officers and cameras are needed.
But after so many years of decline, the small improvements are being celebrated and have community members ready to shake Chinatown’s dark stigma.
“We need to work hard at this to reduce the fear. And by reducing the fear, we’re going to increase our business,” Shubert-Kwock said. “We need their business, we need the aloha, and we need their support.”
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