COM 0936.023 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 19, 2006 To - Hawaii County Council Testimony - Support Bill # 300, Ban drinking in all County parks except by special perrnitl From - GingerTowle Phone - 329-2051 75-5788 Nele Place Fax - 329-6721 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 This Bill is urgently needed to restore order to our parks. I found out that many people thought that there already was a law forbidding drinking at our parks and beaches. They were very angry and they thought that the police were just ignoring the problem and just not doing their job. The majority of the community supports this legislation. These are the people who understand the problem and even though they have had liquor at their picnics they feel the law Is necessary and they can forgo bringing drinks to the parks. Then you have those who could care less.about their behavior and just want to do what they want to do complaining about the police, the county government etc. and that they have their rights etc. Yes everyone has rights, until your behavior starts to impact other people and this is what has happened. The current situation not only makes our parks and beaches a less desirable place to be but Impacts the Police, the Fire Department Rescue teams and the lifeguards who are also constantly in jeopardy. For those people that feel that the police should just handle the problems every day and want to go the police enforcement route. Just ask the Council for lots of money. You91 need to build little mini police kiosks at all our county parks and don't forget allowing money for a mega quantity of new police officers to staff these facilities. Some areas should have 2 officers on duty at all times. Of course you have then turned our police into bouncers. There is a question I've been asked and that is just what is the County's liability by permitting open drinking without any oversight of the situation. After all a bartender can shut someone off if they have had too much. People can drink and get rowdy and not be legally drunk. Alcohol affects people differently due to size, physical condition or whether they are a man or a woman. So instead of our parks and beaches being a pleasant safe place for families they are being trashed with broken beer bottles etc. by some of our own residents. Its been observed that at a large party, at the old airport, with their kids, who were taking the empty beer bottles and lining them up on the rock wall and using them for target practice throwing rocks. There is broken glass all over. Of course all these people have a designated driver I'm sure. You want our parks to be safe beautiful fun places to visit? We need to take them back to what they're supposed to be. Give the police the tools to do just that ...............pass this Bill. O Comm. No ~D • Z 3 H Ref. To: reswr Ref. Dote tsF .