Koreatown : Surge in Robberies Prompts Warnings

Members of the Korean community who do business, enjoy the night life and live in the area must adjust some of their habits to avoid being victimized by an increase in robberies, police and community leaders say.

A total of 71 robberies, many of them armed, occurred in Koreatown during August, said Officer Ben Kwon. Forty-five were reported in July, a number he said is average for the area. The Wilshire District already has one of the highest robbery rates in the city, he said.

“The robbery problem, specifically, has been on the upswing in Koreatown for about the past three years,” said Officer Chuck Newman. “Word has gotten out among criminals that it’s easy pickings in this area.”

Most of the victims are Korean immigrants, Newman said. The problem is that criminals in the area are preying on the naivete of the immigrants, particularly merchants, he said.

“There have been lots of business owners robbed outside banks, bringing money to and from their businesses,” said Greg Jeong, team leader for the Gramercy Place Neighborhood Watch. “They have cash, so they are targeted.”

Justin Won, a special projects director for the Korean Youth and Community Center who has worked closely with police as part of the community-based Koreatown Watch Team, said many in the Korean community--especially merchants and recent immigrants--put themselves in jeopardy through their banking practices.

“The rumor on the street is that Koreans carry lots of cash, and sometimes it’s true,” he said. “Business owners take their last day’s sales to the bank, and it’s easy for criminals to wait for them in front.”

Newman recalled one incident in which a Korean woman took $55,000 out of a bank in a burlap bag and was robbed shortly afterward.

“People need to change their methods of banking,” he said.

Since January, there has also been an increase in robberies involving bar and restaurant patrons who flock to the area’s Korean eateries and nightclubs. Several recent robbery incidents have involved suspects assaulting intoxicated patrons leaving establishments late at night, Newman said.

Won, who patrolled streets with the Koreatown Watch Team, said he has often seen patrons leaving restaurants and bars who would make perfect victims.

“I’ve seen a lot of people who are drunk and think they can walk home,” he said. “I’ve asked myself, ‘If I were a criminal, would I hit that person?’ The answer is yes.”

Wilshire police kicked off their efforts to curb the robbery trend with a 30-officer task force saturation of the area two Friday nights ago. Kwon said the weekend deployments are expected to continue.

Newman said the division is preparing a public education campaign targeting the Korean community. By the end of the month, he said, flyers will be circulated describing how drinking alcohol can make people easy prey for robbers. Police also plan to work with bar and restaurant proprietors to warn patrons to play it safe.

The Wilshire Division also plans to set up community meetings at banks and other public places to educate citizens about the dangers they face when going about their business.

“It’s safe to say this is a top priority,” Newman said.