Houston Asian Town Hall Meeting

Well I was asked to attend the 1st Houston Asian Town Hall Meeting this past Friday. The issue on hand was the crime problems going on in Houston Chinatown area. Now you might ask what crime problems or there is crime problems all over Houston, which is very true. I mean, you can get robbed by stepping out of your house nowadays.

But leaders in the Houston Chinese community wants to promote Chinatown as the next hot tourist spot in Houston and this is one of the main issues that needs to be addressed. I applaud their stance on crime and wanting to make Houston Chinatown even safer.

On hand at the town hall meeting were representatives from Houston Police Department, Harris County Constables, and Asian community leaders and residents. I was one of the community "promotionists" on hand to listen to what the HPD Capt. had to say. He pretty much addressed the issue of crime in the Southwest area and alot had to do with the recent Katrina evacuees from Louisiana.

His plan was to ask for community participation in reducing crime by reporting suspicious activities, and reporting a crime when it happens, not 2 days after. And yes, he did mention a case where an Asian father was beat up and robbed but did not report the crime until 2 days afterwards. You would assume most people have common sense but here is an example of a lack of. To collect these vital information means to better fight crime. Good statistics can help officers pinpoint hotspots and timelines. With a shortage of Houston police officers, they need all the statistics they can get to better utilize their resources.

At the end of the town hall meeting at the Chinese Community Center, residents and business owners had a chance to address their problems and suggestions to the panel. Most voiced out their frustrations and a few had good suggestions like placing cameras everywhere in Chinatown (including storefronts, streets, alleys, etc.)

I enjoyed this town hall meeting because it if the first time I have seen Chinese people unite und a common cause. I'd say it is about time!