Chinatown residents, businesses say safety improvements are working, but problems persist

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Despite a million dollars in new security cameras and increased police patrols, Chinatown’s familiar problems persist.

“What we have is more homeless and mentally ill people who are on drugs. They’re mostly on heroin, they’re on crack cocaine,” said Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, president of Chinatown Business and Community Association.

The continual prospect of crime and violence has led families to stay away.

“Because when you have mentally ill people, you don’t know if something can erupt,” Shubert-Kwock said. “You cannot predict about the action of somebody high on drugs.”

It’s a tough reality for shopkeepers hoping for more foot traffic.

Small business owners like Rowena Sedaba, who works seven days a week, are feeling the strain.

“Because our business is awf