2022-09-16 Police Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes September 16, 2022 Page 2 a total of 4,994 citations were issued: 3,450 for moving/regulatory, 306 for seat belt, 19 for child restraint, and 1,219 for speeding. Commissioner Quartarao asked how often the department does traffic surveys and wanted to know how the department is involved with the public safety commission. AC Basque stated that traffic surveys are done once a year. Traffic safety meetings are held in South Kohala monthly and explained that this isn't police department driven, it's community-based. Commissioner Quartararo stated that input from the police department would be important for that committee. He expressed that there are a lot of dangerous intersections on the Kona side. AC Basque stated he believes that in the past the traffic safety committee was coordinated by a neighborhood watch in the Nani- Kailua area. They would invite traffic engineers and the police department to provide statistics. Commissioner Robinson asked if these DUI scats are also drug-related orjust alcohol. AC Basque stated any intoxicant that would impair your driving. Commissioner Robinson asked how they test for drugs. AC Basque stated either by urine or blood test. Chair Bertsch stated there were traffic safety committees in both Hilo and Kona. He doesn't remember who initiated it, but the police department wasn't the lead for these meetings. These meetings consisted of DPW, and other local organizations, such as PAC in regard to pedestrian and cycling safety. He stated he's not putting it on the police department's shoulders, but if it is something they would like to initiate, the commission could send a letter to the Mayor and ask if they could explore setting this up. He asked AC Basque for more insight on this. AC Basque stated that it was a neighborhood watch-driven program where they would facilitate the meeting, get a venue, reach out to various agencies, and would meet monthly. Commissioner Quartararo asked if he was aware of any ongoing meetings. AC Basque stated there's the South Kohala community meeting, which is held monthly. Commissioner Quartararo wanted to know who was supposed to notice these hazardous traffic issues and do something about it. AC Basque stated they need to reach out to those who designed the roads, such as state highways. The police department could be the conduit to do that, but they aren't the ones who will be making any changes to the roadways. Chair Bertsch stated that he believes the police department has statistics that might be able to identify the more dangerous intersections. He asked if the department could provide this information to the commission, the commission could craft a letter, and use that as the impetus to move forward and Commissioner Quartararo could sit on this traffic safety committee. Chair Bertsch asked if the statistics could be sent to their secretary and the commission could craft the letter.