2021-05-21 Police Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes May 21, 2021 Page 2 POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT ON DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES Crime Report: Assistant Chief O'Connor reported that up through April 30, they had 4,864 serious crimes. The Criminal Investigation Units investigated 527 cases of these case. In the month of April, the department received 8,662 calls for service, 84,874 for the fiscal year-to-date. No trends were seen. Hopefully, the jails are now more willing to accept prisoners rather than releasing them. Previously, there was no consequence to crime. In response to questions, he stated that Hawaii has a public intoxication statute, and it is in the County Code. The officer uses discretion, and typically, a person is not arrested for that. They try to contact a relative, friend, or taxi to take the person home. East Hawaii, which includes Hilo and Puna, does have a higher rate of crime. Traffic Report: Assistant Chief Basque reported that for April 21, 2021, fiscal year-to- date, there were 638 traffic crashes. For the month of April, 5,360 citations were issued: 3785 moving/regulatory, 366 seat belt, 18 child restraint, and 1,191 were for speeding. Personnel Report: Assistant Chief Jelsma reported that as of April 30, there were 60 sworn vacant positions and 8 dispatch positions unfilled. The 93rd recruit class has 18 in field training. On June 16, they will receive solo assignments. The 94th recruit class will start 32 new hires on June 1. They are going through lieutenant promotions. Dispatcher is a high demand position with high stress, and it is shift work. It requires a certain type of person. Finance: Up to 4/30/21 fiscal year, their targeted expenditure was 80.78%; actual was 85.30%. S & W target was 87.5%; actual was 85.3%. Unused funds go back to the county. It is use it or lose it. The 2021-22 fiscal year budget of $72,953,183 includes a 5% overall reduction. The County Council is reviewing it this week. Commendations: Deputy Chief Bugado reported that the Kona Crime Prevention Committee recognized Officer Chelsey Santos as the Kona Officer of the month for May. She was nominated for her efforts in increasing DUI enforcement. The Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaii recognized Officer Laurence Davis as officer of the month for March for his ability to consistently de-escalate potentially dangerous situations and for his professionalism. Since the last Police Commission meeting, the department received 13 commendations involving 18 personnel in recognition for their outstanding services. Commissioner Lassiter stated that it seems like there is more good press coming out of Kona. She would like the department's media person to work more with the media. Commissioner Quartararo stated that the rapport with the officers during Coffee with a Cop in Kona is really good, and he hopes they continue with it. Chief Ferreira stated that Captain Briski in Puna met with papaya farmers at 3:30 in the morning to discuss