Two women this week survived a stabbing in Boston’s Theater District just days after police arrested two men for a shooting in neighboring Chinatown.
Earlier this month a 70-year-old Asian American woman reported being punched in the face in an unprovoked attack from a complete stranger also in Chinatown. She talked about her experience Wednesday.
“He just walked up and punched,” she said to NBC Boston. “My initial reaction was, ‘Run away from him as soon as possible,’ because I don’t want to have a second punch.”
Reports like that prompted 200 people to show up at a virtual town hall meeting Tuesday night to discuss the recent shooting and violence in the area, reported the Boston Herald.
City council president Ed Flynn organized the meeting with the Chinatown Resident Association and the Chinatown Neighborhood Council.
“It is critical we continue to partner with residents, the police, and the community to ensure that our businesses, residents, and visitors are safe when they are in the neighborhood,” Flynn said.
The Boston Police Department committed to increasing patrols in the area.
Boston.com also says more Chinese-speaking officers will be assigned to Chinatown.
The daughter of the victim punched in the face says it’s important for residents to speak up.
“If you don’t report it, then you don’t have the numbers to prove that it’s happening. You can’t track it, and if you don’t have the numbers and the stats to prove that this is happening, then how are you going to justify the funds that you would need to dedicate resources to address this problem?” she said to NBC Boston.
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