On February 28, representatives of several New York Chinese regional organizations paid Chief of Police Matthew Whelan a visit at Flushing Precinct 109 to deliver a letter that expressed the Chinese community’s grave concern over the homicide that took place between Colden Street and Elder Avenue on Chinese New Year’s Eve.
It was alleged that the perpetrators tried to rob the victim’s cell phone and stabbed him five times when he tried to defend himself. The victim, Hong-Chi Chang, died during the scuffle.
The community members urged the police to find and prosecute the criminals in order to give justice to the victim. They also emphasized that the Chinese community is asking to strengthen the cooperation between the police and the residents in order to improve safety and security for immigrant groups who reside in flushing.
Lin-Qua Qu, director of a regional Chinese organization, along with several other community leaders and a Chinese-American police officer, held a half-hour meeting with Whelan.
Qu emphasized that the Chinese community has been great concerned with the tragic death of Chang, a busboy who originally came from the Hulong province of China.
Qu urged the 109th Precinct to take active steps to resolve the case.
As well, they pressed the police to increase its protection and put preventive measures in place to secure the lives and properties of Chinese immigrants, as well as other ethnic residents living and working in Flushing.
Qu expressed to Whelan that although the victim was Chinese, the crime should serve as a “red flag” for the safety of Flushing as a whole.
Qu said that the police force must recognize the severity of the case, adding that any immigrant from any other country could be the next Chang. He also noted that the police needed to set the highest priority in addressing crimes to improve the safety of the neighborhood.
The community leader also reported to Whelan that three different Chinese regional organizations were able to collect a $3000 reward from organization members for anyone who can provide tips to help the police solve the crime and arrest the perpetrators.
