In a recent interview, Mr. Chen, a Chinese immigrant who’s been living in Baldwin Park, Southern California for just a month, shared his unsettling experience. Primarily visiting to meet his newborn grandchildren and enjoy quality family time, he expressed his growing anxiety about safety in the U.S. He described his heightened vigilance during his daily walks, saying he remains alert, keeping his eyes and ears open.
On a night that truly rattled him, Mr. Chen witnessed a chaotic police chase right outside his home. Around 11 PM on October 14th, while he was at home using his computer, he was jolted by the sound of sirens. Initially, he thought they were just distant noises from the street, but the sirens grew louder and closer, accompanied by the thrum of a helicopter circling overhead. “The helicopter felt so close; it was like it was right above me,” he recounted. Eventually, several police vehicles parked just about 20 meters from his door, prompting him to realize something significant was happening in the neighborhood.
Overwhelmed by fear, Mr. Chen turned off all the lights in his home and noticed the flashing red and blue lights reflecting on his ceiling. “It was incredibly loud, almost like I was in a movie scene,” he recalled. In a panic, he locked all doors leading to the yard and garage, cautiously peeking through the curtains to gauge the situation. His son, curious about the commotion, descended from the second floor, but when he expressed a desire to step outside, Mr. Chen urged him not to, fearing potential danger from any armed criminals.
That night, rest was elusive for Mr. Chen as he lay awake, the police lights flickering on his ceiling, uncertain about when he finally fell asleep.
The next morning, he learned through a WeChat neighborhood group that the police had been pursuing a suspect. The thief had driven into their gated community but was intercepted at the other end. Videos shared in the group depicted at least four police cars chasing a pickup truck, which ultimately crashed into the gate, damaging it. Despite the predominantly Hispanic population in the community, Mr. Chen noted that the number of Asian residents has been increasing, now making up about one-fifth of the inhabitants.
Mr. Chen reflected on how news of gun violence in the U.S. deeply concerns him. During his month-long stay, he has been tasked with taking out the garbage at night, yet every loud noise sends him into a panic, despite his son’s reassurances that they are merely fireworks. “Everything in America is generally good, but guns are a significant issue,” he stated. He added, “When conflicts arise, there’s always a risk someone could pull a gun, and the consequences would be dire.”
