2020-01-17 Police Commission Regular Minutes

Home

Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes January 17, 2020 Page 4 BILL ROSEHILL of Moku O Hawaii stated that he wants the police to know that when they do enforcement on these people, they do retaliate. He spoke of incidents that occurred after they called the police. One incident was when the cords on a canoe were cut and came off when they were on the water and another incident when a canoe was set on fire. Commissioner Sur stated that he did a study of homeless people in Hilo. He took photos. They do take action against people or businesses who go against them. Chair Bertsch thanked the members of the canoe club for attending this meeting. He stated that this is the first time in his 13 years on the commission where a Council Member and people from around the island came to talk about an issue. The Police Commission wants to help. This is not just the Police Department's job. It's also for the Council, the community, and the canoe clubs. Maybe they could set drug free zones like in the schools. He asked for volunteers to sit on a steering committee. He asked Council Member Lee Loy to spear head this. He also asked the Police Department to participate. Council Member Lee Loy stated that they have the resources and will reach out to Parks and Recreation. Chair Bertsch suggested they also get the Department of Health and Prosecutor involved and focus on these high risk areas and finding solutions. Police Chief Ferreira reported that on January 9, Community Policing Officers and DLNR did a sweep in downtown Hilo. They are addressing the halau area. It's a huge issue, and it's coming about because they moved the homeless out of one area, and they moved to another area. Mental health is also a component of this issue and is being addressed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS • Program of Work for the Police Commission: Ms. Pelayo stated that this was started by the former Chair and has been on the agenda since the beginning of last year. Program of Work for the Police Chief: Chief Ferreira stated that this is still a draft, and they have not gone over it. Chair Bertsch will review the Programs of Work. CHAIR'S REPORT ON MATTERS OF INTEREST TO THE COMMISSION Chair Bertsch asked about the missing evidence from about a year ago and what the Chief's office has done since. Chief Ferreira stated that polices were reviewed and addressed. Chair Bertsch stated that years ago, $50,000 was missing. Now, they have evidence missing. He asked what they are doing to prevent that from happening again. Chief Ferreira stated that changes were done, such as money is no longer kept if not needed. The issue is not the same and is a totally different situation. He is satisfied with the policies and procedures they have in place now.