NEW YORK- Chinese Christians joined the New York police for the first time as part of a graffiti clearance drive on July 20, 2007, in a concerted effort to serve the community.
The secretary of the NY State Chinese Auxiliary Police Association, Rev. Timothy Chiu, led a group of volunteers to paint over graffiti on public-fixtures. The participants included teenagers and younger children from the local churches.
Working in seven locations, the group covered graffiti in College Point Blvd thru Main Street, and North Blvd in the predominantly-Chinese Flushing district.
Though responses from the participants varied, most said the job was meaningful but very tiring, and that they looked forward to the next graffiti clearance drive.
Following the success of the first graffiti clearance drive, the Chinese Auxiliary Police Association called on more neighbors to participate in the drive. The association plans on expanding the clearance drive to areas between Flushing and Queens district.
Officer Tom Colocci, 109 Police Bureau of Flushing District, said that the presence of graffiti has destroyed the overall impression of New York City. Colocci added that While police are trying to nab the perpetrators, citizens can make a difference by working together with the neighborhood, community and the Auxiliary Police Association to fight the crime.
"Through the social services, churches can penetrate the community and become a great witness for Christ," concluded Rev. Chiu.
[Editor’s note: Claudia Cheng in San Francisco has translated the article.]
