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From: hawaiidot[hi.dot@usa.net] ~ Ld~~ ~~;{ii 1~ t'I'I ~1 ~:j <br /> Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 3:58 PM <br /> To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us , . <br /> Subject: Urgent -Public and Employee Safety Issues at KCAC , <br /> March 16, 2005 <br /> RE: Urgent -Public and Employee Safety Issues at KCAC <br /> Aloha City Council Members, <br /> I am unable to attend the budget hearing on March 16, 2005, however, I am <br /> submitting the following testimony for your consideration. <br /> My name is Dorothy Browne and I am employed by the County of Hawaii as a Pool <br /> Lifeguard I at the Kona Community Aquatics Center (KCAC). <br /> An urgent situation that compromises public safety currently exists at KCAC. <br /> Funds should be appropriated to KCAC to hire apar!-time security guard to be <br /> stationed at KCAC holidays and weekends during pool hours. <br /> The impetus for my submitting this testimony is as follows: <br /> While in the course of duty at KCAC on Sunday, March 6, 2005, at approximately <br /> 5:30 pm., a pool patron, a 6'01" individual weighing 200 Ibs, verbally <br /> threatened and nearly attacked me. The patron threatened also to burn the <br /> facility and bring harm to others as well. No police assistance was available <br /> in spite of repeated attempts to call '911' for help. An emergency <br /> evacuation of KCAC was initiated by the staff on duty for the protection of <br /> the public that were at KCAC at the time. <br /> This incident more than likely would not have escalated to an emergency <br /> evacuation of KCAC had Hawaii County Police effectively responded to the first <br /> '911' phone call to Hawaii County Police at 5:00 pm. During the third '911' <br /> phone call to Hawaii County Police, at 5:20 pm when I literally demanded that <br /> an officer respond to the emergency immediately, I was told, "It's a busy day <br /> in Kona," and that, "they'll get there when they can." <br /> If it weren't for County of Hawaii Custodian Joey Pacheco's quick action I <br /> very well my have been seriously physically assaulted by this violent <br /> individual. I subsequently filed a County of Hawaii Police report because I am <br /> now being stalked by this same individual at KCAC. This individual is known to <br /> be homeless and frequently camps at Old Kona Airport next to the Canoe Club <br /> building adjacent to the old DMV building. This location is located less than <br /> 1/4 mile from KCAC. Needless to say, I and other County of Hawaii Lifeguards <br /> are afraid to go to work. I have been authorized to carry pepper spray at work <br /> due to the threats of verbal and physical assault to KCAC staff that occur <br /> with some regularity at KCAC. Lifeguards are supposed to ensure a safe and <br /> healthy environment for the public at KCAC, however, without proper law <br /> enforcement back-up the lifeguards are not even able to ensure their own <br /> safety at KCAC, let alone the safety of the public. <br /> Please be advised that the above mentioned is not an isolated incident. There <br /> have been numerous other examples of violence directed towards KCAC Lifeguards <br /> and Custodians, the most recent of which are as follows: Comm. rlci (7"~. I ~O <br /> 11/24/05 -Male KCAC Lifeguard was beaten unconscious outside the workplace by Ref, To: ~ G <br /> <br /> a former pool patron in retaliation for Lifeguard enforcing pool rules. It was Ref. Lo`e _MAR 1 6 <br /> <br /> later learned that this former patron is reported bylaw enforcement to be <br /> 1 <br /> <br />