2006-12-15 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes December 15, 2006 Page 2 COMMITTEE REPORTS • Budget and Finance (Frazier / Morimoto): No report. • Office Management and Staffing (Lundkvist /Mitchell): No report. • Rules and Policies (Kaoiwi): No report. • Contractual Services (Robinson): No report. • Public Relations (Lassiter / Politano Steckel): Commissioner Politano Steckel reported that a report on the fallen officers' monument will be presented at February's meeting. Vice Chair Morimoto congratulated Chair Lassiter for being inducted into the Hawaii County Women's Hall of Fame. CHIEF'S REPORT Including: • Crime: Assistant Chief Day pointed out that they are doing extremely well in both East and West Hawaii in clearance rates. He also pointed out several retirements at the end of the year. • Traffic: Major John Dawrs stated that at the last meeting there was an inquiry into why West Hawaii had more DUI arrests than East Hawaii. Much of this is attributed to a new officer, Carrie Akina, who is from Kona. Officer Akina had nine DUI arrests, fifteen crime arrests, and gave out sixty citations in a month. They have a high number of DUls because they have high alcohol consumption. West Hawaii Today reported that West Hawaii has a lot of construction, there is a lot of pau -hana drinking, and those are the ones that are being pulled over. There were several accidents in which the police believe speed and alcohol were contributing factors. That is why their focus on DUI arrests is so strong. A combination of factors is that they have very good officers and district commanders who are reinforcing the need for enforcement. All districts in West Hawaii will be having DUI roadblocks. On New Year's Eve, watches will be held over, and they will have double watches. Chief Mahuna reported that this also applies to Area I. Each commander is working on a plan of action for Christmas and New Year's Eve. They will also focusing on seatbelt compliance. They have been seeing alcohol and poly -drug users. Many times it's not the driver that gets killed, but others. He hopes it gets better with their efforts in education, SROs in the schools, and community policing officers. Commissioner Frazier stated that having a damaged automobile on the side of the road helps to remind people not to drink and drive. Chief Mahuna felt it could be too graphic. Commissioner Whittemore stated that he has noticed more speeding on Mamalahoa Highway and on Saddle Road. They need to send out messages to slow down in these areas. AC Day stated that because of the earthquake damages, more people are driving on Saddle Road.