On June 22, key officials from the San Francisco city government, the police department, and the district attorney’s office convened in Chinatown for the inaugural “Civic Forum in Chinatown.” Co-hosted by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, Wah Ying Club, and SFCAUSE, the event centered on pressing issues such as public safety, anti-Asian hate, theft, drug-related problems, and homelessness.
By 10 AM, Victory Hall, which has a capacity of 200, was completely filled. A defining moment of the forum was the chance for residents and small business owners to pose direct questions to city leaders regarding the challenges facing their community. Notably, this gathering marked a historic first for Chinatown, as it utilized AI technology for real-time translation, eliminating the need for an in-person interpreter and significantly enhancing participation from monolingual attendees.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, and Sheriff Bill Scott expressed their appreciation for the strong community turnout. Also present were city attorney David Chiu and representatives from organizations such as the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, Blue Angels Oakland Volunteers, Chinese Industrial Fund, California Tenants Union, and the Jewish Community Relations Council, among others.
Chen Guoqing, acting chairman of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, shared that the forum’s aim was to create an environment for open and constructive dialogue about community issues. Lee Tianshou, chairman of the Wah Ying Club, highlighted the ongoing occurrence of hate violence, pointing out that interventions from the city and law enforcement have been inadequate. He passionately urged the community to engage in more direct dialogue with city officials to express a sense of urgency.
Special guests included Vicha Ratanapakdee’s daughter, whose 84-year-old father was tragically pushed to the ground from behind by a 19-year-old in 2021, resulting in his death. This incident is recognized as one of the most significant hate crimes against elderly Asians during the pandemic, and the case remains unresolved.
Sasanna Yee, granddaughter of another victim, 88-year-old Yik Oi Huang, was also in attendance. Huang suffered severe injuries after being violently attacked by an 18-year-old while walking in a park in 2019, ultimately passing away after extensive treatment.
Although the FBI reported a 30% decrease in anti-Asian hate crimes in 2023, Mayor Breed remarked that such statistics are hollow if the Asian community continues to feel unsafe. She stressed the necessity of public safety for the Chinese community and the entire city and reaffirmed her dedication to working alongside law enforcement to secure safety.
Breed also highlighted community partnerships, mentioning that the city has made significant investments in senior transportation services, enabling 2,500 elderly residents to accumulate 32,000 hours of commuting last year.
District Attorney Jenkins addressed the historical tensions between the DA’s office, the Mayor’s office, and the police, which have complicated the processes of solving, arresting, and prosecuting crimes. However, she pointed out that currently, all three departments are united in their focus on combating hate crimes, particularly those targeting the elderly, ensuring that offenders are held accountable.
Sheriff Scott discussed proposals E and F, introduced by the Mayor and successfully passed, which greatly enhance police enforcement authority, especially regarding the use of surveillance cameras and drones.
In response to a recent robbery of a woman in Chinatown that was captured on nearby business security cameras, Scott addressed public concerns. He clarified that while video evidence is typically withheld from the public during investigations, it will be shared if public assistance is needed in identifying suspects, as in this case. He emphasized the police’s commitment to balancing the protection of victims’ privacy with transparency about evidence and case developments.
Furthermore, the organizers offered free surveillance equipment to small business owners to bolster community policing efforts.