Thursday February 19, 2015 marks the beginning of the Year of the Goat. Festivities however start many days before the Lunar New Year. Observers hand out monetary gifts–a tradition among the Chinese and Koreans. When valuables are readily visible and exchanged during celebrations, criminal scammers and extortionists see an opportunity.
Observers want to start the Lunar New Year with good fortune and therefore are vulnerable to superstitious beliefs. For example scammers prey on victims who, under the pretense of having their valuables blessed with “good” fortune, are left in the end without their treasured belongings.
As a result, the SFPD and the SF Safety Awareness For Everyone (SAFE) hold an annual press conference to bring attention to scams and extortions that victimize observers of the Lunar New Year.
On Wednesday – February 4th, 2015, SF SAFE and the SFPD held a news conference at the Dragon’s Gate–the iconic entrance to Chinatown at Grant Avenue and Bush Street. The backdrop was the perfect place to kickoff an awareness campaign about scams and extortions that occur particularly around the Lunar New Year. Many Asian cultures such as the Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean consider the Lunar New Year as a major Holiday.
Chief Greg Suhr, Police Commissioner Victor Hwang, Assessor Carmen Chu, District 3 Supervisor Julie Christensen, District 4 Supervisor Katy Tang, District 6 Supervisor Jane Kim, District 7 Supervisor Norman Yee, and Captain David Lazar of Central Station spoke at the event. Other dignitaries were also present to remind the communities that the Lunar New Year is a time to celebrate and to be on the lookout for criminal activities.
The next day on Thursday – February 5th, 2015, SF SAFE and the SFPD held a second news conference at Burrows Pocket Park on San Bruno Avenue regarding scams and extortions. The area is dominated by businesses that cater to the Chinese and Asian communities. Captain Robert O’Sullivan–commanding officer of Bayview Police Station and Supervisor David Campos–representing District 9, spoke at the event. Many community volunteers and stakeholders also attended. The press conference was followed by a door-to-door campaign advising businesses to be on the look out for suspicious and criminal activities at this time of the year.
