One of the best defences against vandalism and other crimes that harm the Chinatown International District sometimes is a simple, “Hi” (CID).
This is the viewpoint of the volunteer-run CID Community Watch.
The members of CID Community Watch come from many walks of life and have different connections to the community.
As a result of opportunistic rioters and vandals who attacked the CID during nearby George Floyd riots, this organisation was founded in 2020.
Businesses were robbed and windows were smashed.
Additionally, many neighbours were already concerned about their own safety and the effects that vandalism and burglaries would have on the already struggling family-owned businesses in the CID owing to racism tied to the COVID.
When they saw what was occurring, a group of neighbours thought they had the power to restore some hope and light to their neighbourhood.
They held the view that there is “strength in numbers” and that having a large contingent of neighbourhood volunteers would reduce crime.
They started their first night watch on June 2, 2020.
The CID Community Watch still conducts weekly night watches, during which a number of members gather with water bottles, bright clothes, and comfy shoes; some volunteers even ride bikes; and together they walk or ride around the CID.
They assist the homeless, pick up trash when they see it, engage in friendly conversation, try to diffuse tense situations, discourage taggers, and perhaps most importantly, they cheerfully greet everyone they come across because they believe that being present and visible in the neighbourhood is one of the best ways to deter crime.
The scope of CID Community Watch’s activity has also gone beyond what their name suggests.
They are quite busy. CID Community Watch has taken on many more initiatives and jobs as a result of realising the community still has a big need for their services.
They have organised clean-up days, offered self-defense training for seniors, assembled care packages and meals for people in need, and often serve as a point of contact between the locals, local business owners, other groups, the media, and municipal authorities.