In Diamond Bar, a city located in the eastern part of Los Angeles County with a significant Chinese population, December welcomed the appointment of a new Chinese-American mayor – Deng Jiayou. Deng Jiayou, with an outstanding track record, holds dual doctoral degrees from prestigious universities and has practiced medicine for over thirty years, showcasing a deep passion for community service. Two years ago, he was elected as the 4th District City Councilmember of Diamond Bar, marking his entry into politics.
Known for his amiable nature, Deng Jiayou, an immigrant from Taiwan, is actively engaged in the community, aiming to address societal issues of concern to residents effectively. During recent community events, he shared an encounter where a college classmate congratulated him on becoming mayor and curiously inquired about his political affiliation, asking him “what color (party) are you?” Deng Jiayou responded, “I have no color,” emphasizing, “When I engage in conversations with others, I start with ‘common sense’. Regardless of your color, you must seek community safety. With community safety, we can lead new lives and make California a great place.”
Deng Jiayou has observed traditionally apathetic attitudes among many Chinese towards politics and elections. However, as California policies deviate further from what Chinese families find acceptable as “common sense” in certain areas, a growing lack of security among residents has underscored the importance of voting participation for the Chinese community. Ensuring that mainstream society hears the voices of the Chinese community is crucial to deter crime.
“The greatest need of residents is safety.” Deng Jiayou recently emphasized at a local event organized by the “Community Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility” (TACF) organization, stressing his repeated efforts in city council meetings to reduce crime. Although Diamond Bar is relatively safe, the increasing incidents of violence across California in recent years have not spared the community from rising crime rates.
Diamond Bar, being a small city with a population of just over 50,000, has been striving to provide ample funds to the police department. Recently, the city installed License Plate Recognition Cameras on city roads to assist law enforcement in swiftly collecting evidence and enhancing crime prevention.
Recognizing that ensuring community safety extends beyond the efforts of a single city, Deng Jiayou emphasizes the necessity of collective regional efforts to effect change in the broader environment. This is why he continuously encourages Chinese residents to actively engage in voting and have a voice statewide.
Deng Jiayou believes that Proposition 36, passed in the recent elections, presents an opportunity to reverse the trend of community crime. The proposition garnered high bipartisan support in California, indicating a general consensus among Californians to combat crime. The effects of Proposition 47, passed in 2014, which reclassified drug possession, theft, and shoplifting as misdemeanors, resulted in a surge in thefts and a pervasive sense of insecurity among the masses.
Furthermore, Deng Jiayou underscores the significance of overall public safety improvements for businesses. “In recent years, widespread thefts have significantly affected businesses, leading to substantial losses,” Deng Jiayou told reporters, highlighting how many businesses have had to invest in surveillance equipment or hire security personnel, increasing operational costs.
According to Deng Jiayou, there are numerous areas where the Chinese community in American society can contribute, such as participating in volunteer organizations like TACF for social security, volunteering at police stations, joining community educational activities, and aiding in educating people on how to prevent crime.
Apart from social security, Deng Jiayou also envisions increased investments in transportation, firefighting services, public leisure facilities, and establishing a better business environment for local small enterprises in Diamond Bar. He mentioned that the city is planning to develop a major central hub spanning 45 acres at the intersection of Diamond Bar Blvd and Golden Spring Drive, with plans to construct over two thousand residential units, hundreds of shops and restaurants, as well as entertainment and community activity facilities.