To improve safety and security in the LA Korean community, the Olympic Booster Association (OBA) has been a key bridge between the Korean American community and the Los Angeles Police Department’s Olympic Division, which serves the Koreatown area.

Christine Jung, the president of OBA, shared in an interview that the organization is actively hosting events, including recent fundraisers and a welcome ceremony for the new Olympic Division captain. She emphasized the importance of fostering communication between the local community and police, encouraging Korean American residents to support the organization and report incidents.

Jung explained, “Given the budget constraints in LA, OBA—founded in 2010—has become one of the most supportive among the 21 LAPD booster associations, raising funds annually to support programs like youth education and safety initiatives for Koreatown.” She added that the importance of OBA's work is increasingly recognized, as seen in last week's successful golf tournament, which drew over 140 participants.

On November 14, OBA will host a welcome ceremony for the new captain of the Olympic Division, Brian O'Connor, who succeeded former captain Aaron Ponce. O'Connor, who joined the LAPD in 1999 after starting as an Army Reserve military police officer in 1989, has an impressive 35-year career in law enforcement, including 25 years with LAPD.

Jung shared, “Tonight’s event, held at 6 PM on the second floor of the Oxford Palace Hotel in LA, will bring together over 100 leaders from the Korean community. The event will feature Korean cultural performances and traditional food, fostering stronger connections between the police and the community. Building this relationship enables the police to better understand the community and work more effectively in partnership.”

Jung, a family law attorney by profession, also mentioned that Captain O'Connor, who holds a law degree, may find common ground with community leaders, especially as he plans to practice law after retirement. Additionally, Jung said OBA intends to organize forums where local residents and business owners can share feedback directly with Captain O'Connor.

Jung encouraged Korean Americans and Koreatown residents to report crimes more actively, as many hesitate to report incidents, believing it won’t make a difference. She stressed, however, that if incidents go unreported, it can impact future police staffing and resource allocation for the area.

Christine Jung has practiced family law for 23 years with offices in LA and Irvine. From 2019 to 2020, she served as president of the Korean American Bar Association (KCLA) and has been active in the OC Korean American Bar Association Foundation (OCKABA) since its inception in 2005, dedicating over a decade to the Korean American legal and broader community.

—By Hyungseok Han

<Hyungseok Han>