2014-06-20 Police Commission Regular Minutes

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HawaiÒi Police Commission Regular Session Minutes June 20, 2014 Page 3 In response to Chair BertschÓs inquiry about SROs in the high schools, Deputy Chief Ferreira stated that they use federal grants that target the middle schools. Chief Kubojiri further stated that they found that putting SROs in middle schools is the best use of their resources, and the students establish a bond with the police officers. Nothing prohibits the SROs from going to the high schools, and they do go to the high schools. They are asking for more funds for more SROs. It is a competitive grant that pays 75% and the county pays 25%. AC Kanehailua reported having two critical vacancies in the crime lab. Their HR Specialist will be moving to County HR. School crossing guard vacancies continue. Vacancies in dispatch are an ongoing process. Finance report of budget and expenditures. AC Kanehailua reported that they will be slightly over budget for salaries and wages due to the increases. They may end up with a small fund balance which will go back to the county. They budgeted for all the pay increases for next year. Upgrades for dispatch and the radio system are planned for next year. Commendations of sworn and civilian employees. Chief Kubojiri reported receiving 12 commendations involving 27 employees since the last commission meeting - 3 in Hilo, 1 in North Hilo, 2 in Puna, 4 in South Kohala, and 2 in Kona. Other departmental activities. Chief Kubojiri reported that the commanders now do an analysis on traffic trends, and the ACs over see them. Regarding crime trends, there are groups out there that they constantly looking out for. When they catch them, the counts go down. Traffic accidents are usually in the same places. Commanders do the prioritizing for their area. If they need someone else outside their pool, they can request assistance. Last monthÓs community meeting in Kona was held in the evening to make it more accessible to people who work during the day. Unfortunately, not many people showed up. After that meeting, they did an active shooter presentation. Only about two dozen people showed up for this. They will do another presentation next week Monday at Aunty SallyÓs at 5:30 p.m. They will start with the community meeting, and the active shooter presentation will follow. They recently had a police/media meeting which is held three times a year. The meetings are held for both sides to understand what each side can and cannot do and to resolve any issues they might have. th Next month, in addition to the 4 of July celebrations, they will have the Hilo Marathon on July 13. It will start and finish in Keaukaha at 4 miles. Unlike Kona, the motorists donÓt have an opportunity to turn around anywhere on the Hmkua Coast. They are trying to find out the critical intersections to place police officers.