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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0314.039 1996-1998 l Stahr ~ (503)394-2950 $711/97 ~ 12:22 PM ~ 2/3 Howard and Lorraine Stahr RR2 Box 4006 Pahoa, HI 96775 (SOS) 96~-773 tune 30, 1997 i Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 Attn: Lames Arikaki, Chair Re: Marijuana Grants Dear Council Members, Tlus letter is written on behalf of the VacaYionland Hawaii Neighborhood Watch Committee (VHNW). VHN4V is a committee of the Vacationland Hawaii Communty Association. VHNW supports the continuation of the helicopter Overflights and other drug eraclication progranZS conducted by the Hilo Police Department and its Vice Squad in their efforts to control the drug traffic on the Big Island. We want the funding far this very necessary program to continue. You probably know that Vacatiunland Hawaii in the Puna District has been, in the past, a Mecca for drug dealing and pot growing. Land values are very low and it's been considered an undesirable place for upstanding, lan>-abiding families to live. Our out-of-the-way location, ease of access by the public and, until recently, apparent unconcern by the conulzuiuty has lead to this influx of drugs and crime. This community will no longer tolerate such conditiorw. Its residents have banded together to get this illegal activity with its unsavory type of people out of our area. The VHNW formed the first of the year Arid has been working on this problem under the guidance of Officer Thomas Lonokapu. We have partnered with nearby Leilani Estates Neighborhood Watch Committee in working on drug and other problems in both commurtities for the past 6 months. During this time, we have noticed to our delight, that the helicopter and ground raids conducted by the Vice Division to root out marijuana growers have coincided with and backed up our efforts. As a direct result of our «o~lance and efforts and those of the police and its Vice Division, the incidents of drug dealing and growing as well as other crimes suds as burglaries and thefts, have dropped dramatically in both Vacationland and Leilani Estates. We have found that once a community bands together, the unwelcomed leave as they don't want anyone to notice what theti~ are doing. When our efforts are1 1 Comm. Nn.J1~.?~ Corr . No. 314N$9 File No. Vl(Se Ref. To: Presented CO1An(j1 Ret. Date JUL 0 1 1997 L Stahr ~ (503)3944950 $711197 ~ 12',22 PM ~ 3l3 County Coixncil - Marrluana Grants letter Lune 30, 1997 Page 2 backed up with support from the police, overflights, confiscations and arrests, those doing illegal trade are not likely to stay. Although they may go somewhere else, they leave our areas. (Yes, we need more active Neighborhood Watches all over the Big Island! That's something else that needs some modest funding.) If the community watches and law agancy cooperation lets up, the umvanted element will come back to do their dirty and detrimental business again. We need to keep the pressure on so that this doesn't happen! As to those who feel overflights are infringing on their privacy, we say, that if they are not doing something illegal, they shouldn't worry. VJe welcome the flights!! In addition to getting rid of the drugs, the overflights really enforce our message to the druggies: We are ALL working together now. We don't want you here. Stay out!! Please continue funding this very necessary program. We are depending upon it to get our area cleaned up and to stay that way. tNe pledge to work with the Police Department and the Vice Division to assist its efforts in every way we can. We would like for this letter to be a numbered communication to be read at the next Council meeting. Sincerely, Howard G. Stahr Lorraine M. Stahr Director, A'acationland Harcaii Communih-:~ssociation ~"H\1V' Co-Coordinator c Char A'anden-ort(Denise lV'right/Jeff Debnan~, A'HStV~ Co-Coordinators Gordon \ash, Leilani Estates Harry Kinti President, A~HC_~1 Chief tV'ar•ne Cra~alho, Hilo Police Dept., Hilo Lt. Chad Fukui, Hilo Police Dept., Hilo Officer Thonus Lonokapu, Hilo Police Dept., Keeau ~ Stahl' ~ (503)3942950 .$711197 0 1'2:22 NM = 1/3 JSH TO: James Arikaki, Hav, .County Council FAX: 808 969-3291 FROM: L Stahr PAGES (INCLUDING THIS COVER): 3 Please accept this fax as a numbered correspondence to be read at the July Council meeting. A hard copy of this letter has been mailed to you. Thank you for your consideration of this issue. Sincerely, Lorraine M. Stahr TueSJay, JUIy 1. 1997 tt~ n ~ C ,~j" r _ i7 ~ ~ ~ ~ I - ~ N 1 ~ CD i