News Release

October 15, 2025 

CONTACT: 

Jensina Hawkins, Asian American Council of Oregon Board of Directors

jensinahawk@gmail.com

(541) 619-7806

Jenny Jonak, Asian American Council of Oregon Board of Directors:

jenny@jonak.com

(541) 690-5773

FOR RELEASE THROUGH OCTOBER 23 

ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER PUBLIC SAFETY FORUM TO ADDRESS TARGETED BURGLARIES IN EUGENE 

Thursday, October 23

Korean Presbyterian Church of Eugene

1600 Taney St., Eugene OR 97402 

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 

EUGENE, OR — Over the past two years, the Eugene area has seen a resurgence of burglaries targeting the homes of Asian American business owners and families. In response to growing public concern, the Asian American Council of Oregon will host an Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Public Safety Forum at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23, at the Korean Presbyterian Church (1600 Taney St.) in Eugene. The event is free and open to the public.

The purpose of the forum is to provide an opportunity for community members to hear directly from local law enforcement and government officials about what is happening in our community and what can be done to protect residents.

Since late 2023, at least 21 such burglaries have been reported. “These recent crimes were not random. They deliberately targeted Asian households and involved extensive surveillance of the victims. Some lost a lifetime of savings and a sense of safety in their own homes. For many in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, it has raised uncertainty about whom to trust or where they can be safe,” said Jenny Jonak, Board member of the Asian American Council and forum organizer.

“The public safety forum is an extension of our outreach effort to foster better communication. We have been working closely with local law enforcement agencies to provide information and reassurance to our Asian American and Pacific Islander community,” adds Asian Council Board member and forum organizer Jensina Hawkins.

The public safety forum panel of law enforcement officials will deliver brief remarks about the recent incidents, followed by a moderated question-and-answer session.

Public Safety Forum Panelists: 

• Jami Resch, Springfield Police Chief
• Chris Skinner, Eugene Police Chief
• Chris Parosa, Lane County District Attorney
• Gavin Bruce, Oregon DOJ Bias Crime Prosecutor

News Reports:

The Oregon Department of Justice Bias Response Hotline will also be present to share resources and answer questions from the public.

Child care and language resources will be available during the program, and refreshments will be served following the forum.

Elected officials confirmed to attend:

Congresswoman Val Hoyle
Rep from Gov. Kotek’s office
Rep from Sen. Wyden’s office
Rep from Sen. Merkley’s office
Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson
Former Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy
Rep. Lisa Fragala
Rep from Sen. James Manning’s office
Rep from Rep. Julie Fahey’s office
Lane County Commissioner Heather Buch
Lane County Commissioner Laurie Trieger
Lane County Commissioner David Loveall
Lane County Commissioner Pat Farr
Lane County Commissioner Ryan Ceniga
Springfield City Councilor Kori Rodley
Eugene City Councilor Matt Keating
Eugene City Councilor Randy Groves
Eugene City Councilor Jennifer Yeh
Eugene City Councilor Lyndsie Leech
Eugene City Councilor Greg Evans
Eugene City Councilor Mike Clark

Forum Host: The AAPI Public Safety Forum is hosted by the Asian American Council of Oregon with support from TAAF (The Asian American Foundation) and KLCC FM.

For more information, please visit the Asian American Council of Oregon website at AsianCouncil.org.

• Please attend the forum to learn more about recent police investigation, ask questions of the panelists and support the AAPI community.
• Refreshments served at the end of the forum.