2012-03-16 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes March 16, 2012 Page 2 POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT ON DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES Including: • Crime: Assistant Chief Henry Tavares stated that, at the Chief's request, in addition to the crime and traffic report, they will also provide a report on crime and traffic trends, and what they are doing to address the problem. He briefly summarized the written report. Up through February 29, 2012, there were 5,188 serious crimes. Of these, the Criminal Investigation Units investigated 1,410 cases in Areas I and II. For the month of February, the department received 7,514 calls for service, of which 2,606 were related to crime and /or traffic and 4,908 were for miscellaneous public assistance. Regarding crime trends, it takes time for them to review and analyze the statistics, so the report is about a month behind. In the Hilo District, they found a slight increase in unauthorized entries into motor vehicles. They did a two -day sting operation in several higher crime areas, mostly in the downtown area. Officers were able to obtain a lot of information that, hopefully, will lead them to solving some of these crimes. Out of the 29 reported burglaries, 6 were in the Waiakea Houselots area. They have stepped up visibility in that area. Their Burglary Unit continues to review pawn shops. They heavily look at receipts in trying to look for stolen items and connect them back to the crime. In South Kohala, in the Waikoloa area, they had an increase in unauthorized entries into motor vehicles. They teamed up their patrol officers with community police officers and worked with the Waikoloa Village Association, reminding homeowners to secure their vehicles while in their garage or parked outside their house. In Ka`u, they had three separate thefts of copper. The crime was solved, and the suspect was located. Officers are working with his probation officer to get a retake warrant on this individual. Traffic: Assistant Chief Kealoha briefly summarized the written report. For the month of February, 4,405 citations were issued for the following violations: moving /regulatory 2,833, seat belt 332, child restraint 38, and speeding 1,202. Regarding traffic trends for January vs. March, they had a high amount of rear -end collisions within the Hilo town area. South Hilo Patrol continues with aggressive traffic enforcement. High traffic collision areas were identified as Kamehameha Avenue, Kanoelehua Avenue, Kilauea Avenue, and Komohana Street. They increased enforcement efforts in the areas identified as intersections with high traffic accidents. In South Kohala, they are addressing the community's complaints of speeding in Waikoloa Village, especially in the Laie Street area. Enforcement has been increased in targeted areas. He attended a Waikoloa community meeting. It seems to be working; the residents are slowing down.