HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0489.000 2002-2004
Zeopu ~atate co~~ee ~arrn
75-816-F ALILA-AU
P.O. BOX 437
HOLUALOA, HAWAII 96725
REC]1t/~
H
' a
a.,~4lR!~ ¢ovrtdl .
February 21, 2003
I appreciate the opportunity to appear before the commission and express my
thoughts on law enforcement on the Big Island. It can be very simple. The elected
and appointed people who represent the citizens of the Big Island hold the positions
they do, in order to accomplish solutions to problems that exist.
Many problems manifest themselves from the lack of adequate personnel for the
Police Dept, which then translates to more money to hire more officers and which
then translates to the need for both the Mayor, County Council and Police Com-
mission to stiffen their backbone and do what needs to be done and insist upon
a tax increase that will then relieve the few policemen we have of not being able to
care for all the marry demands that confront them. If the taxpayers growl, then
let them elect some new leaders and see how long it will be before that group reaches
the same conclusion, all the while the problem becomes beyond a remedy.
Traffic all around the Big Island is out of control, drivers have lost there respect for
the law because they have learned that the chances of being apprehended is practically
nil. Added to high speed and reckless drivers, disregard for traffic signals, is the
constant aaogance by vehicle drivers who Saunt good judgemem and are common
examples of disregard for the danger present when driving and using a cell phone are
combined. Pitifiil, is the fact that an accident caused by high speed, use of cell phones,
and bald arrogance for the law often results in loss of innocent lives. How does this
translate? Simple, the need for more quali5ed officers, instructed to enforce the law,
adequate taxes, leaders that will insist the money be spent to immediately solve the
serious problem that we all know exist. Take a moment and ponder the following.
What one generation condones, the next generation accepts.
What can we expect of our kids, if we idly sit by and condone our problems.
You may be wondering why I gave each of you a brochure describing a very Sne
Youth Center Cemer project for the Big Island kids, and that I speak so conEdenUy.
I lead that project, and N order to fund the early expenses I took a job with Avis Auto
Rental, transfering autos to and from Hilo and Kawaihae ,accumulating about 350
thousands miles of driving Island roads over the last Sve and one half years. A trip
never goes by without seeing one or more accidents or near accidents from drivers
who were out of control. It boils down to my first statement, more police officers
are needed to do the job.With no money presently available, the answer is to bite the
bullet, raise the taxes, simultaneously insist the police do the job they are there to do.
Thank You,
Comm. No. Y89
Ref. To:
Ref. Date
FAX (808) 329-5831 • PHONE (808) 329-5831