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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> TESTIMONY OF MARGARET KUE HAZELWOOD <br /> <br /> TUESDAY, 22 APRIL 2008 <br /> HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL <br /> <br /> IN OPPOSITION TO ACCEPTING FEDERAL FUNDS FOR HELICOPTER SURVEILLANCE <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Today I am here to express my opinion regarding the decision that s before this County Council <br /> concerning the acceptance of federal funds for helicopter flights over our island as a method for <br /> enforcing marijuana cultivation laws. <br /> <br /> I am opposed to the council accepting these funds because I believe it is a inefficient, wasteful <br /> and invasive way to choose to enforce the marijuana cultivation laws. <br /> <br /> I am not here to ask that you not support bad laws, nor am I asking that you change or remove a <br /> bad law. I am merely asking that you truly consider what the best means of enforcement of the existing <br /> laws actually are. To do this you must consider the efficacy of the enforcement method, its costs and <br /> its impact on the total community. Helicopter surveillance fails to pass any of these litmus tests as a <br /> chosen method of enforcement <br /> <br /> Let us look first at the efficacy of the method. Since the Police have not filed and the council has <br /> not demanded the required annual reports, there has been no proof provided that helicopter overflights <br /> provide more convictions for marijuana cultivation than do more mundane, prosaic and less invasive <br /> police methods. The fact is that the police could tell you without a single helicopter flight where most <br /> of the commercial marijuana is being grown on this island. Given the lack of information and <br /> accountability and the continuing invasion of privacy and personal spaces that is a direct result of <br /> <br /> helicopter flyovers, this method fails to meet the first test. <br /> Cost, the second test, is interesting. The federal government gives the funds to support the <br /> <br /> flights but demands that Hawaii County police officers organize, lead and complete the operations. <br /> Basically our cost then is personnel. Now the personnel that is organizing, flying and completing the <br /> helicopter surveillance is not available to tend to emergencies and crimes on the ground. Hawaii Police <br /> Department has been understaffed for a long time and to waste valuable person power on a minimal <br /> return enforcement method which effectively removes the officers from any other task during that time <br /> seems ill advised. You say, well, we can authorize overtime for officers to fill the other needs. That will <br /> cost the county more and therefore strain the budget and it also presumes that officers can work long <br /> stressful hours and sell make decisions that are motivated by the best interests of those they are sworn <br /> to protect and serve. Note protect and serve, not harass and threaten. <br /> <br /> The final test is the intrusion and impact on the innocent public. It is hard to imagine a more <br /> threatening, intrusive and violating act than flying a large, loud, noisy helicopter over a residence, <br /> business or school. Their very presence intimidates and attests to the robo-cup mentality, that is so <br /> <br /> Comm. No <br /> Ref. To, Ffeseul0d <br /> Refi Dote {LPL 2 2 2008 <br />