Businesses in Chinatown band together to increase security

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Chinatown businesses are banding together to increase security for customers and the tourism corridor, all amid a spring crime spike and recent serial burglars targeting local businesses.

Fukuburger’s Colin Fukunaga has helped promote collaboration between local Chinatown businesses and Asian businesses by sharing deterrence tips, monitoring and crime incident information to keep other business owners informed.

“There is no other choice, we have to do this,” Fukunaga said.

“Chinatown is currently the third most visited part of Las Vegas. You are an entrepreneur. It is your duty to your customers that you are also here to protect them,” he said.

Dozens of business owners joined Las Vegas Metropolitan Police on Thursday in a meeting with leaders of the Spring Valley Area Command to discuss measures taken to catch the burglar responsible for 29 break-ins.

Fukunaga has helped numerous Asian business owners report crimes and helped break down cultural barriers when communicating with local law enforcement.

“It’s really important to change that paradigm and make sure we all come together and share the information with each other so we can stop what’s happening,” he said.

Business owners are connected in a “text thread” to share real-time information across Chinatown. When there is a problem or incident, companies directly call SMART Team “Mike and Ike,” two officers responsible for door-to-door patrols. Earlier this year, LVMPD increased patrols and visibility in the Spring Mountain corridor to crack down on criminals and car break-ins targeting customers.

Companies also implement deterrence measures: they leave cash registers open and empty (visible through the windows), lock safes, hang fliers and posters of suspects on windows, post signs to clear your vehicle of valuables, and install numerous surveillance cameras.

“I have high definition cameras, about ten of them in every nook and cranny and one of them on the door just in case. They all have motion sensors,” said Rarann ​​Mojica of FoneStar Repair, which repairs cell phones, tablets and laptops.

As customers enter the door, Mojica asks them to return to their cars and clear out any visible valuables.

“So that they can come back at any time and feel safe,” Mojica said.

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