2023-04-21 Police Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes April 21, 2023 Page 2 No further discussion, it carried unanimously, and the minutes were approved. POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT ON DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES Chief Moszkowicz stated normally, the Area I and Area II Assistant Chiefs provide the commission with the crime and traffic reports. Moving forward, when in Hilo, the Area I Major will give the report, and when in Kona, the Area II Major will provide the report. Eventually the admin Major will provide the report with the admin AC. This will provide them with a little more experience and professional development. Crime Report: Major Mahuna reported through March 28, 2023, there were 4,385 serious crimes. The Area I and Area II Criminal Investigation units investigated 558 of those cases: 319 in Area I and 239 in Area II. Calls for Service: Major Mahuna reported that in March 2023, the department received 11,393 calls for service, bringing the total to 92,960 for the fiscal year to date. Chair Robinson referred to the crime report and asked if there are more thieves in West Hawaii. Major Mahuna stated there were 204 thefts reported in Area I and 97 in Area II. Traditionally Area I has more thefts than Area II. Puna and Hilo historically account for a good majority of thefts that occur on the island. Chair Robinson wanted to know the population difference between Area I and Area II. Major Mahuna advised that he didn't have that information and would have to get back to him on that. Traffic Report: Assistant Chief Basque reported that as of April 11, 2023, for fiscal year 22-23, traffic crashes are at 690, compared to 609 last year. Traffic fatalities are at 20 compared to 26 last year. The DUI fatality count is at 8, compared to 17 last year. DUI arrests are at 728, compared to 772 last year. DUI arrests for the month of March 2023 are 98, compared to 66 in February. For the month of March 2023, a total of 5,107 citations were issued: 3,569 for moving/regulatory, 372 for seat belts, 12 for child restraint, and 1,154 for speeding. Vice Chair Toci wanted to know when the department sets up roadblocks and other traffic projects. AC Basque explained that a lot of DUI roadblocks are grant funded. They also conduct DUI during regular shifts if they see someone driving erratically or someone reports it. Traffic crashes and casualties also account for DUI counts when someone is impaired. Commissioner Quartararo stated speed limits aren't posted as often as they should be. He wanted to know if there's a standard on how often speed limit signs are posted. AC Basque explained that the Police Department doesn't determine when and where speed limit signs are posted. Commissioner Quartararo further expressed his concerns regarding traffic signage. He feels there needs to be meetings and dialogues between HPD, the Department of Transportation, and Public Works.