COM 0936.010 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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TESTIMONY in Support of Bill No. 300 Relating to Amendine Chapter 14 of the Hawaii County Code The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for Hawaii County supports Bill No. 300 amending Chapter 14 of the Hawaii County Code which relates to Intoxicating Liquor in County Parks. The intent of this bill is to prevent liquor consumption in the parks of the County of Hawaii, absent a permit and to modify the places in which a permit may be obtained to drink alcoholic beverages. In the last couple of years our office has received several complaints from community members about people drinking alcohol in County parks and causing problems. These problems include: fights, harassment, disorderly conduct, vulgar and abusive language, excessive noise, obscene gestures, littering, vandalism, and driving under the influence of alcohol. During the same period of time, our office has received few if any complaints about similar problems at our State parks. One of the reasons for this may be that the State has already made the requested changes and has made it against the law to use or possess alcohol in any state park without a permit. While all of the above problems are of concern to the County, driving under the influence is of particular concern to our office. Every year in the United States over 43,000 people die in traffic crashes. According to the State Department of Transportation, in the last 5 years (excluding 2006 data), 172 people have died in traffic crashes in the County of Hawaii. 90 of those people, more than 50%, who died in traffic crashes died in alcohol related crashes. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Comm. No. • /o Ref. To: Pre µ Ref. pate UG 2006