Neighbors help stop harassment of Asian American family
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LADERA RANCH, California (KCAL/KCBS) — Every night, neighbors take shifts protecting a local family that has been harassed in what appears to be anti-Asian American attacks.
Home security video shows teens running up to Haijun Si’s home in Ladera Ranch, pounding on the door and at times flashing light in the camera to prevent them from being identified.
One child left a pornographic print at Si’s front door, and Si says others have thrown rocks at the home and hurled racial insults.
“We have called the sheriff many times. The sheriff has come here seven times,” Si said.
Detectives stepped up patrols and told Si to install cameras and a fence, but still, the attacks continued.
The only thing that has helped is the neighbors setting up camp outside the home to deter the harassment.
They go out in shifts, standing guard to protect Si and his family, and now they’re finally experiencing some peace.
“I am very thankful for my neighbors. We have five peaceful nights, no one knocking on the door. I don’t need to keep watching,” Si said.
The way the neighbors have arranged it is that every night, they sign up online through their community Facebook to sit outside and monitor the home.
So far, the attackers have not been back but they turn the other way when they see the house guarded, neighbors say.
“We have seen multiple attempts already for the teenagers that have come this way. They see us and they turn around. Will this make them stop forever? Probably not. But at least this family can have some peace,” said one neighbor.
Si said he doesn’t understand why he is being targeted, but he’s just grateful his neighbors have his back.
Authorities said they will be looking at home security footage to try to identify the people who’ve been harassing Si’s family.
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