Kollab Heroes: Max Leung, SF Peace Collective

Image Credit: Dennis Hearne

This month, we will be highlighting various organizations and people and the work they have been doing during the COVID-19 crisis. We also hope to provide you with resources that are available in your community. For our first #KollabHeroes story, we interviewed Max Leung, the co-founder of SF Peace Collective and co-founder of Frisco Cop Watch. 

Before the COVID-19 crisis hit, Leung wanted to open a retail store that sold CBD, body care products and clothes. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, his plans have been put on hold. Now, Leung spends his days providing protection to vulnerable populations in and around Chinatown. His work with SF Peace Collective is essential to the well being of SF Chinatown not just during COVID-19, as it is a means to protect those in the neighborhood and prevent pillars that uphold such a community (such as restaurants and small businesses) from being eaten away by criminal forces that usually plague the area.

The SF Peace Collective started supporting the community before the COVID-19 crisis and coincided with the increased crime and xenophobia during the pandemic. After identifying vulnerable groups, they started to provide physical protection to normal citizens, usually single females, the elderly, merchants (including merchant associations) and businesses that got vandalized or robbed. 

“The SF Peace Collective patrols Chinatown on foot to keep an eye out for anything or anyone who looks suspicious. We also have an established relationship with merchant associations and support each other in various ways. I realized that I had to go out there and physically do something about a problem and join forces with local police and politicians instead of just complaining online.”

The SF Peace Collective is also in contact with the local police department and has developed a relationship to share information with each other. The police department knows who SF Peace Collective is and became familiar with their mission to ensure they weren’t a vigilante group.

Leung is also the co-founder of Frisco Cop Watch. Frisco Cop Watch is an organization whose purpose is to look out for police misconduct as it can be difficult to work with the police. They often end up handling things on their own if the situation is able to be de-escalated.

Max shared one example where was a young man who appeared to be homeless and mentally ill. He went in and tried to steal from a cash register from one of the businesses. Max tried to get this person to leave, but didn’t call the police because they might end up shooting him.  Max would otherwise call police if the incident was recurring and if said young man tried to rob another store or repeated the offense.

So far, SF Peace Collective does everything in their power to physically patrol neighborhoods, prevent vandalism, and keep vulnerable individuals safe. They are looking to become a 501(C)(3) and expand to provide deliveries for the elders who are not familiar with Uber or delivery apps, as well as lead a youth mentorship program.

Leung says that his group can always do more with more resources (equipment, PPE, masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, parking assistance, food, water) and manpower (more volunteers). The merchants they protect often offer time and/or free food, but Leyoung understands that businesses in general are struggling and don’t want to take advantage of their generosity.

When asked what one can do to protect oneself during these times, Leung’s response was:” “Stay inside, wash hands, respect social distancing, wear masks and gloves, sanitize everything you touch, reach out to friends and family, talk to each other on the phone, go outside, get some fresh air and sun, and stay active.”

Well, we couldn’t agree more! Thanks for your time and your hard work, Max.