2005-02-11 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes — Page 3 February 11, 2005 Commissioner Hara stated that he has received calls from senior citizens who are concerned about police reports not being made available to the public. They want to be informed about crime in their in neighborhood. Deputy Chief Kubojiri stated that they are still actively working on the RMS system. The information of location, time, and date is still available, but a synopsis was not created in the RMS system. He met with members of the press on Monday concerning this. Cases of significant interest are still being provided in a press release. Tiffany Edwards of West Hawaii Today stated that the press in Hilo is dissatisfied with the information being provided to them. She recently went to the police station go get information about an incident at the county building. The setting at the police station was grim and like school detention. They need someone to sit with the press everyday and give a briefing. The RMS only lists thefts but no details. This doesn't help with their archives. The more information they have as journalists, the better job they can do. Chair Bertsch stated that the public played a great role in the recent apprehension of fugitives. Today, the news media reported that they report details of criminal activity. The police department needs to find out what basic information the press needs. He asked Ms. Edwards to send them a letter with her requests. • Traffic: Assistant Chief Day stated that the Traffic Enforcement Unit has been fully staffed for a month. TEU does enforcement and traffic fatality investigations. Speed boards are being placed in varying districts. The larger ones are left unmanned, and an officer mans the smaller ones. They hope to purchase more of the larger ones. Recently, they had one accident with four fatalities, one motorcycle fatality, one vehicle fatality in Puna, and another in the Pohoiki area that was not recorded as a traffic accident. Emphasis is being placed on traffic enforcement. They want to be consistent so that people slow down when they see the police. Chair Bertsch stated that the speed boards on the Queen K Highway has helped in letting people know their speed and having them slow down. Deputy Chief Kubojiri stated that the School Resource Officers have been educating students on driving and drinking. Commissioner Lundkvist stated that she has mixed feelings about too many people in her neighborhood coming out onto the street to stand alongside the speed board. Assistant Chief Day stated that their community coordinated the speed board. Assistant Chief Day stated that Sergeant Sanborn would be speaking to the trucker's association about tires being left on the roadways following blowouts. • Personnel: There were no questions or discussion. • Finance: Accountant Kay Nishibayashi stated that County Finance would be meeting with the Mayor on Tuesday. If they miss this go- around, the commission could hit the amended budget in May. March 30 is the only meeting planned for the Police Department to meet with the County Council's Finance Committee. • Commendations: Chief Mahuna reported receiving six commendations since the last meeting.