A wave of crime involving teenagers in Oahu’s Chinatown has merchants there speaking out, according to KHON.
“With ages from eight to about 18, 19, 20. And they come in a pack, which is a frightening part because when you’re a single operator, when there’s a pack of kids,” said Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, President of the Chinatown Business and Community Association.
Salon owner Terry Wong has experienced this first hand with two separate robbery attempts on his shop.
“Oh, yeah, around here, a lot of drug dealers, drunk people, homeless. Too much,” Wong said.
Honolulu’s Police Department say the latest crime spree is being taken seriously and is encouraging merchants to report these crimes. But Chinatown merchants say police are spending too much time going after jay walkers instead of more serious crimes.
“Seriously, people are upset about so many police hours are spent on jaywalking tickets,” Shubert-Kwock said.