July 20, 2016
Eugene, OR – APICAT was contacted by the owner of King’s Asian Market on West 11th (near Yi Shen). Apparently, this Asian-owned small business was vandalized again sometime early Monday morning. EPD has already documented the situation and APICAT Steering Committee Member David Yuen Tam will be speaking with the owner tomorrow. We will update you when we know more.
The APICAT Steering Committee met with Mayor Kitty Piercy, Chief of Police Pete Kerns, and City Manager Jon Ruiz early Tuesday afternoon to discuss short term and long term solutions to address the recent string of vandalism of Asian-owned businesses. Also present was Rachel Hsieh, representing her mother, Phung Hsieh, the owner of Yi-Shen Market & Restaurant. While media was not invited to the meeting, a couple of news reporters from KVAL and KEZI were present but were asked not to film during the meeting in order to foster an open and honest dialogue.
The meeting began with Rachel telling her family’s history and that of their store. She then described the impact that the repeated vandalism had on her family. This set the tone for a positive conversation for a constructive conversation focusing on City and API community partnerships. Jason Mak, a member of the Steering Committee of APICAT facilitated the hour-long conversation. Some of the things discussed were:
The meeting ended with the City agreeing to write a statement of support for APICAT’s mission.
EPD HAS SUSPECT IN CUSTODY
Sunday, July 10tH
**Breaking News**
Eugene, OR – Lt. Jen Bills informed the APICAT Steering Committee that a Eugene Police patrol caught and arrested a suspect of the recent vandalism of Asian owned businesses at 2:00 AM this morning around the Jade Palace and Lotus Garden areas. It is unknown if the suspect is indeed the actual vandal, but Lt. Bills believes that their M.O. matches. She also reports that this suspect was caught in the act on video, which they will analyze.
APICAT would like to thank EPD and the City of Eugene for their hard work and partnership on this vital issue to our community. In addition to stepped up patrols organized by Lt. Doug Mozan, EPD has also pledged to send Crime Prevention Specialists to evaluate the security of each of the affected businesses. Typically vandalism of this nature is not a priority due to resources and staff, as EPD does not typically send an officer out on this type of call. However, Lt. Bills has been treating this as a Bias Crime and directed dispatch and 911 to send an Officer. In our meeting with her Friday, we also discussed cultural and language needs of our community.
The APICAT Steering Committee will also be meeting with EPD Chief Pete Kerns, City Manager John Ruiz, and Mayor Kitty Piercy on Tuesday to discuss longer term partnerships and solutions.
We will provide additional updates as we receive them.
APICAT Steering Committee,
David Yuen Tam, Ardyn Reyes Wolfe, Sam Roxas-Chua, Jason Mak
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To all,
We have removed observance shifts due to various factors in the best interest of all parties. Please pass the message to others and we will be giving you more reports as they come out. Thank you so much to everyone for volunteering, supporting and being proactive.
Sincerely,
APICAT team
To all,
We have removed observance shifts due to various factors in the best interest of all parties. Please pass the message to others and we will be giving you more reports as they come out. Thank you so much to everyone for volunteering, supporting and being proactive.
Sincerely,
APICAT team
Brief Update- After meeting with city officials today, APICAT will be suspending observations after Friday (tonight) due to installation of security measures and EPD stepping up patrols in the area. EPD has solid leads on a suspect thanks to you. Stay tuned for a full report and ways you can help.
Please follow these UPDATED rules to ensure everyone’s safety.
ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM (APICAT)
Volunteer Observer Rules and Guidelines
Last updated: July 6, 2016
What you will need: a fully charged cell phone, flashlight, pen and paper, and snacks. If you have walkie talkies radios please bring them.
– Volunteers must conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times while observing.
– DO NOT ENGAGE. Observers must be aware that they are not vigilantes, but an extension of the Police Department’s “eyes and ears.”
– Be discreet. Blend in and don’t be obvious. Do NOT pull into or park at the businesses we are observing!!!! Keep your voices low and turn down the brightness of your cell phones. Stay in the shadows. Our goal is to catch vandals in the act, not deter them.
– Stay with a partner at all times when ever possible.
– The role of an observer is to observe and report any suspicious activity to either the organizers or to the police directly. Again, do NOT engage the subject.
– Stay in your vehicle at all times. Do not go on patrol, especially on foot, unless asked to do so by an organizer.
-9-1-1 should not be called unless someone (not property) is in danger. If you find something to report, call the EPD non-emergency number at: (541) 682-5111. Please save this to the frequent contacts in your phone for easy access. You should be prepared to share a very detailed description of the subject.
-Use your camera or phone to document any suspicious activity. Provide this documentation to an organizer (David Yuen Tam, Jason Mak, Sam Roxas-Chua, or Ardyn Reyes Wolfe.)
-Volunteers are not authorized to carry any weapon, nor involve themselves directly with suspects, to either detain them or engage in any activity normally associated with the duties of a Police Officer. A volunteer who engages in such activity will be asked to leave.
-Strict adherence to these rules keep volunteers safe, as well as to keep you from criminal and civil liability.
July 4th @ 2AM – APICAT was on watch tonight and there was a guy peering into windows at Yi Shen then at King’s Asian Market windows and trying doors, then went over to the old Lok Yuan restaurant did the same thing and threw a rock. One of our awesome volunteer observers Kyra saw this and reported it to EPD. David Tam followed him on bike down West 11th. He stayed with him until other volunteer observers could flag down one of the Officers in the area. EPD caught him trying to break into a donation box at the Elk’s Lodge. David Yuen Tam thinks it is a good chance he may be one of the original vandals as he looks and walks like one of the guys in the security footage from a few nights ago. Fingers crossed!!!! Regardless, we still believe there are more vandals out there from the tips we have been given so stay vigilant.
Thanks to all the volunteers who showed up tonight including Kyra Ioppolo, Sam Roxas-Chua, Demiliza Sagaral Saramosing, Dungas Mevale, Dante Hyogo Haruna, Lori Rarey, Liana Leung, Connor, and many, many more!
Please sign up for other times this week!
Please share!
July 3, 2016
APICAT (Asian Pacific Islander Community Action Team) REALLY needs volunteer Observers for TONIGHT and for the next few days to keep watch of Asian businesses on West 11th who have been targeted for vandalism. Yi Shen, Kings Asian Market, LZ Dish, Lotus Garden and many more were affected.
Please sign up on our Doodle poll. It is super fun and easy to do. When you arrive for your shift please go to the alley way next to Lube it USA across from Yi Shen. We are trying to be subtle and low-key as possible.
Also, riding a bike is helpful too.
APICAT - Asian/Pacific Islander Community Action Team 