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<br /> l Stahr ~ (503)394-2950 $711/97 ~ 12:22 PM ~ 2/3 <br /> Howard and Lorraine Stahr <br /> RR2 Box 4006 <br /> Pahoa, HI 96775 <br /> (SOS) 96~-773 <br /> tune 30, 1997 i <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> 25 Aupuni Street <br /> Hilo, HI 96720 <br /> Attn: Lames Arikaki, Chair <br /> Re: Marijuana Grants <br /> Dear Council Members, <br /> Tlus letter is written on behalf of the VacaYionland Hawaii Neighborhood Watch <br /> Committee (VHNW). VHN4V is a committee of the Vacationland Hawaii <br /> Communty Association. <br /> VHNW supports the continuation of the helicopter Overflights and other drug <br /> eraclication progranZS conducted by the Hilo Police Department and its Vice <br /> Squad in their efforts to control the drug traffic on the Big Island. We want the <br /> funding far this very necessary program to continue. <br /> You probably know that Vacatiunland Hawaii in the Puna District has been, in <br /> the past, a Mecca for drug dealing and pot growing. Land values are very low <br /> and it's been considered an undesirable place for upstanding, lan>-abiding <br /> families to live. Our out-of-the-way location, ease of access by the public and, <br /> until recently, apparent unconcern by the conulzuiuty has lead to this influx of <br /> drugs and crime. <br /> This community will no longer tolerate such conditiorw. Its residents have <br /> banded together to get this illegal activity with its unsavory type of people out of <br /> our area. <br /> The VHNW formed the first of the year Arid has been working on this problem <br /> under the guidance of Officer Thomas Lonokapu. We have partnered with <br /> nearby Leilani Estates Neighborhood Watch Committee in working on drug and <br /> other problems in both commurtities for the past 6 months. During this time, <br /> we have noticed to our delight, that the helicopter and ground raids conducted <br /> by the Vice Division to root out marijuana growers have coincided with and <br /> backed up our efforts. As a direct result of our «o~lance and efforts and those of <br /> the police and its Vice Division, the incidents of drug dealing and growing as <br /> well as other crimes suds as burglaries and thefts, have dropped dramatically in <br /> both Vacationland and Leilani Estates. <br /> We have found that once a community bands together, the unwelcomed leave <br /> as they don't want anyone to notice what theti~ are doing. When our efforts are1 1 <br /> Comm. Nn.J1~.?~ <br /> <br />