2019-12-20 Police Commission Regular Minutes

Home

Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes December 20, 2019 Page 2 protest, they had a stand -down. It then went into a political arena. They were getting complaints from the public about being intimidated on the road. Workers on Mauna Kea complained about it also. People in Kona also complained about being intimidated. They had complaints that the police were up there but were not doing traffic enforcement. The message they got was that the police was weak. So, they stated that if you travel the Daniel K Inouye Highway, you have to follow the traffic laws. They were totally impartial. They issued 8,000 citations, but they didn't get any complaints from people who were cited. While they were doing enhanced enforcement, there wasn't a single fatality on Saddle Road. This person making the complaint is hypocritical. While his commander in Puna, this officer used traffic enforcement to work burglary cases. GENE TAMASHIRO came before the commission and stated that he heard about the complaint in the newspaper and was glad to hear from Major Jelsma. The full rule of law needs full disclosure. Sixteen days ago Mayor Kim, Corporation Counsel Kamelamela, and Chief Ferreira were served Notice for Title Correction for the North Kohala Courthouse. They are claiming the courthouse title. The police station is on that TM K. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice Chair Bertsch motioned to approve the minutes of November 15, 2019, regular and executive sessions. Commissioner Schutte seconded, and it carried unanimously. POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT ON DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES • Crime Report: Assistant Chief O'Connor reported that up through November 30, 2019, there were 2,622 serious crimes. Of those, the Criminal Investigation Units investigated 277 cases. In the month of November, the department received 9,831 calls for service. In response to questions, he stated that the Spillman System is doing better. Officers are getting more familiar, and ironing things out. Spillman has a heat map, and they can pin point areas. Traffic Report: Assistant Chief Wagner reported that year-to-date, they had 24 traffic fatalities compared to 30 last year. For the month of November, 4,886 citations were issued: moving/regulatory 3,242, seatbelt 272, child restraint 18, and speeding 1,354. Commissioner St. Ambrogio asked if there was any correlation with car accidents and drugs. AC Wagner stated that traffic fatalities are similar nationwide. DUls are happening. AC O'Connor stated that road design is also a factor. People are passing in areas they shouldn't. Commissioner Quartataro stated that the road markers and reflectors are bad. These are quick and easy solutions. They need more clearly marked directions. Vice Chair Bertsch asked AC Wagner if the new Kona commissioner could be invited to the Kona Traffic Safety Committee meeting. Personnel Report: Assistant Chief Thomas reported having 50 sworn vacancies which includes recruits in academic training. Another recruit class will start in