2008-11-20 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes November 20, 2008 Page 2 CHIEF'S REPORT Including: • Crime: Assistant Chief Tavares summarized the written report. They have not seen any rise in burglaries, thefts, etc., resulting from the economic downturn. They are working on visibility. They have not seen any trend in the miscellaneous public assistance calls. He hasn't seen any increase in roadside vendors. Traffic: AC Pacheco reported that traffic accidents and fatalities are down. Their enforcement has had an effect on this. Citations, including speeding, were down. He attributes this to the TEU still on off - island training. Overall, traffic has been good. Regarding roadside vendors, they enforce illegal parking. They have not seen an increase in roadside vendors. The electronic signs that show a driver's speed were obtained with grants; they hope to get more. The State that reduced the speed limit down to 50 mph on the Mauka road between Waimea to Kona. Commissioner Behenna stated that he would like to have information in the traffic report publicized in the newspapers. AC Ferreira stated that their traffic statistics are on their website. Commissioner Kaoiwi commended officers for patrolling in the Railroad Avenue area where kids have been racing. The officer without the blue light makes a difference. Vice Chair Whittemore inquired whether there were areas targeted for underage drinking. AC Pacheco stated that the Crime Reduction Unit has been trying to attack the problems in public parks which people have complained about. They are trying to be proactive and getting people before they get in their car. He is not aware of any decorative plant thefts. Commissioner Lundkvist stated that on Sundays, Highway 130 in the area of the Maku'u Market, is a mad house. AC Pacheco stated that he will talk to Captain Guillermo about it. They can cite people if they park on the highway and don't move when asked to. Personnel: AC Ferreira stated that the 76th recruit class began on November 17 with 14 new members. The 75th recruit class will graduate on January 30. They still anticipate full strength by the end of the year. One officer who left for DLNR wants to come back. Open continuous recruitment was closed in August because almost 100 applicants are being screened. Interested persons can ask to be placed on the Human Resources mailing list. They conducted interviews for two dispatch positions. The annual report for 2007 -08 has not been completed. Annual reports come out almost a year later. Finance: AC Ferreira summarized the written report. They are on a status quo budget and have not been asked to make additional reductions. They need to press for CIP