2020-01-17 Police Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes January 17, 2020 Page 3 NEW BUSINESS Concerns of the Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association of illegal activities in the area of canoe facilities: Commissioner Brown reported that he attended a meeting in Honoka`a with Council Member Lee Loy and Community Policing Officers Almeida and Drummondo. Association members brought up their concerns of drug activity in Hilo and Kona restrooms and people living in cars in the area. They were told to call the police about the problems. Council Member Lee Loy told them to call P & R about cleaning the restrooms. The World Sprints will be coming to Hawaii in August, and they want to make a good impression. COUNCIL MEMBER SUE LEE LOY of Council District 3 stated that she and Council Chair Chung have heard of drug activity in the canoe area. She runs by the area every day. Doug Bumatay, VP of the Association and coach, is there with the kids, but it is not safe for the kids to be in the bathrooms. There is a section in the County Charter and commission rules that allows the commission to advise the Police Chief on community relations. Chair Chung and she are ready to work with the commission. They have tools in their belt where they can work. They also control the budget. She wants to work smarter, not harder. DOUG BUMATAY, Vice President of Moku O Hawaii Outrigger Canoe Racing Association, stated that in recent months, illegal activity has increased right in front of them. It's going on in and around the bathrooms. There is graffiti in the bathrooms and vandalism on their canoes. It's the middle of the high school season, and the kids don't want to go to the bathrooms. Hilo has gotten bad. Kona is also bad. Council Member Lee Loy stated that the community policing officers did empower this group with tools and what to do. They brought their concerns back to department's leadership. They want some kind of action. They want this resolved. They need to figure out a long term solution. MIKE ATWOOD of Moku O Hawaii stated he also coaches high school paddling. The circumstances in Hilo are similar in Kona, but they also have tourists who see this. The Kona pier is State property. The bathrooms are closed at night, and these people use the canoes to do their business which is a health issue. They were advised to call the police non -emergency number. Commissioner Quartararo stated that the bathrooms at the Old Kona Airport are also a problem, especially at night. Commissioner St. Ambrogio suggested that the canoe clubs mount cameras to capture images of the people in the area. CAROLYN CARTER of Moku O Hawaii stated that they have 15 canoe clubs, and at one point they all will be affected. The upcoming World Sprints will have international participation. They want to be in a good space.