2003-09-12 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes September 12, 2003 Page 3 before submittal. Vice Chair Manago motioned to submit the specifications as amended. Commissioner Muller seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. • Public Relations (Nara /Lambeth): Chair Hara stated that with regards to arrests in major crimes such as home invasions and robbery of senior citizens, he has had many calls from concerned citizens, feels that the department should inform the public when the suspects are apprehended. Many of our senior citizens are in their `80s and `90s and live alone, and this would put them at ease. Chief Mahuna stated that when they have 100% confirmation of the responsible persons, he would like to give a press conference with television coverage. Regarding the recent home invasion incident in South Kona, they searched the area for two hours by helicopter but did not find the suspects. CHIEF'S REPORT • Crime: Major Kawauchi summarized the written report. Chair Hara stated that he would like them to discuss some of the high profile crimes and the status of these crimes like they do in the Maui Police Commission meetings. Members of the community have questioned him about incidents, and he would like to be able to respond. • Traffic: Major Day summarized the written report. With regards to the home invasion in Kona, it involved two individuals. The person who saw them knows what they looked like. They wore army type fatigues, indicated that they were the police, bound the victim with duct tape, and searched the residence and took money. Captain Shiroma will issue a press release this afternoon informing the public that they do not do business in army fatigues and with duct tape. They have had a string of burglaries spreading from North to South Kona. They did a search warrant on one house and hopefully will recover some of the stolen property. They recovered a Toyota truck that the suspects have been using in the burglaries. They know the suspects, and there may be more than one ring working in the area. The DUI funds have been depleted, but they still have funds for seatbelt enforcement. Commissioner Muller stated that ever since the Puainako extension was completed, there has been a lot of speeding on Ainako Drive. Major Day will look into it. Commissioner Frazier stated that the chief has been participating in Jake - Brake, and they appreciate the help with noise abatement. Commissioner Mitchell stated that on Sunday at the farmers' market, two children got lost in the forest. They didn't call the police or 911 and was later chastised for that. Their fire department found the children later. Captain Day stated that she should have called, and they would have prioritized it and responded.