Due to concerns about neighborhood safety, Lin Weiwen has decided to run for city council in Milpitas, aiming to address these issues through policy initiatives. His passion for education ignited when his children began school, leading him to engage actively in various school district affairs, drawing from over 13 years of community involvement. Recently, the establishment of a homeless shelter near his home as part of California’s “Homekey” initiative has amplified his worries about safety, prompting him to formally run for office to voice his and the residents’ concerns about security.
Lin’s decision to enter the race was spurred by the rising crime rates in his area, which he attributes to the governor’s “Homekey” project. This initiative involves converting old motels into homeless shelters, including one that opened near his residence. Since then, he has noticed a disturbing increase in crime, often hearing sirens from police and ambulances nearly every night.
He has witnessed firsthand the impact of crime in his neighborhood, including incidents of mail theft: “People have been going door to door, opening mailboxes and stealing letters. My security camera even captured someone taking mail from my mailbox.” Just a few months ago, a man attempted to open every car on the street, including Lin’s, which was left unlocked in the driveway. The man rummaged around inside, and although no valuables were taken, Lin found items scattered on the ground the next morning, later discovering through video footage that they had been disturbed by this individual. Despite reporting the incident to the police, he was left with only a report and no significant follow-up.
These experiences have fueled Lin’s commitment to running for office, hoping to implement policies that will make Milpitas a safer place and enhance its appeal as a community.
Graduating from UC Berkeley, Lin obtained his master’s degree from San Jose State University and has built a career in engineering and management in the Bay Area. For the past 20 years, he has served on the Science, Technology, and Innovation Commission, including a two-year term as vice-chair. His dedication to education led him to actively participate in school and district matters, as he has served for seven years on the board of the Milpitas Chinese School and has been a member of the Community Board Advisory Council (CBAC) for 13 years, including a six-year tenure as chair, showcasing his extensive community service experience.
