2002-12-13 Police Commission Minutes

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December 13, 2002 Regular Session Minutes Page 2 after that except that he dragged her out of the house. No one needs to hit her child. The officer needs to get training. Commissioner Manago asked to speak to Ms. Masuhara in executive session. MICHAEL SUMJA and others with him came to speak in response to Correspondence 72, the request for additional manpower in the North Kohala District. He read his letter in which he talked about the drug problem in North Kohala. He asked that they hire two sergeants and a full -time vice officer. They also need to fill two patrol slots. Since 1994, they have had five captains, none of whom lived there. There were periods of 6 -8 months when there was no captain in North Kohala. Commissioner Manago stated that the types of problems they see are not unique. South Kona, which has about 9,000 people, does not have a sergeant. A lot of the problems the police face are due to funding problems. That's why Mayor Kim asked for a tax increase. The police department has a budget of $150,000 for new equipment, and that doesn't go very far. The mayor is the only person who can add additional personnel, and the county council approves the budget. JOHN KOMITANI read a letter from Herbert Yim, an employee of Kohala Hospital. They have seen an increase in emergency room services since 911 due to family abuse. They are asking for additional police support to the North Kohala community due to social problems of this isolated community. MR. MASUDA of the parks and recreation department stated that the community has tried to meet the needs of young people but need help from the police department. The use of drugs and alcohol is high in their community. They don't have a bowling alley, theater, or shopping center. There are not too many things for teens to do. They have substance abuse and curfew problems. GLADYS NANBU read her Correspondence 72 in which she requested additional police officers for North Kohala. They need to have an undercover operation for the ice houses. They need the department's help. JOEL RICHARDS, counselor at Kohala High School read a letter from Catherine Bratt, principal of Kohala High School. She expressed concern over the turnover of police captains and the need to fill the current vacancies in the department. She also asked for assistance in curbing the drug problem in the area. COUNCILMAN LENINGRAD ELARIONOFF came before the commission and asked for basic police coverage in North Kohala. He stated that one - fourth of the force in Kohala is made up of very young recruits who don't have "heat ". The first line supervision, the sergeant, is the person who can train them. When the sergeant is not there, the young officers don't know what to do. He asked for help with first line supervision. He doesn't