The Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (OAPIA) and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) successfully organized the first Operation Free in Chinatown on Wednesday, December 19. About a month ago, Chinatown residents and business owners voiced their concern that there was not enough police presence in Chinatown to MPD.  “High police visibility is good crime deterrence and that’s what we need,” said Mr. Duane Wang, Chairman of the Chinatown Steering Committee at the meeting.

Over 150 MPD recruits and officers filled the streets of Chinatown, visiting and talking with residents and business owners.  They handed out safety fliers and listened to their concerns. With the help of OAPIA staff, MPD Asian Liaison Unit officers, and volunteers from CCCC, MPD was able to engage limited English proficient Chinese residents in Museum Square and Gibson Plaza, two public housing complexes in the Chinatown area.  As Soohyun Koo, OAPIA Director, stated, “It’s a very successful first step that OAPIA and MPD have implemented in responding to the Chinatown resident and business owner’s safety concerns. The Mayor is very committed to doing his best to make Chinatown a safe and vibrant place.”