HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0124.016 2004-2006 From: hawaiidot[hi.dot@usa.net] ~ Ld~~ ~~;{ii 1~ t'I'I ~1 ~:j
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 3:58 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us , .
Subject: Urgent -Public and Employee Safety Issues at KCAC ,
March 16, 2005
RE: Urgent -Public and Employee Safety Issues at KCAC
Aloha City Council Members,
I am unable to attend the budget hearing on March 16, 2005, however, I am
submitting the following testimony for your consideration.
My name is Dorothy Browne and I am employed by the County of Hawaii as a Pool
Lifeguard I at the Kona Community Aquatics Center (KCAC).
An urgent situation that compromises public safety currently exists at KCAC.
Funds should be appropriated to KCAC to hire apar!-time security guard to be
stationed at KCAC holidays and weekends during pool hours.
The impetus for my submitting this testimony is as follows:
While in the course of duty at KCAC on Sunday, March 6, 2005, at approximately
5:30 pm., a pool patron, a 6'01" individual weighing 200 Ibs, verbally
threatened and nearly attacked me. The patron threatened also to burn the
facility and bring harm to others as well. No police assistance was available
in spite of repeated attempts to call '911' for help. An emergency
evacuation of KCAC was initiated by the staff on duty for the protection of
the public that were at KCAC at the time.
This incident more than likely would not have escalated to an emergency
evacuation of KCAC had Hawaii County Police effectively responded to the first
'911' phone call to Hawaii County Police at 5:00 pm. During the third '911'
phone call to Hawaii County Police, at 5:20 pm when I literally demanded that
an officer respond to the emergency immediately, I was told, "It's a busy day
in Kona," and that, "they'll get there when they can."
If it weren't for County of Hawaii Custodian Joey Pacheco's quick action I
very well my have been seriously physically assaulted by this violent
individual. I subsequently filed a County of Hawaii Police report because I am
now being stalked by this same individual at KCAC. This individual is known to
be homeless and frequently camps at Old Kona Airport next to the Canoe Club
building adjacent to the old DMV building. This location is located less than
1/4 mile from KCAC. Needless to say, I and other County of Hawaii Lifeguards
are afraid to go to work. I have been authorized to carry pepper spray at work
due to the threats of verbal and physical assault to KCAC staff that occur
with some regularity at KCAC. Lifeguards are supposed to ensure a safe and
healthy environment for the public at KCAC, however, without proper law
enforcement back-up the lifeguards are not even able to ensure their own
safety at KCAC, let alone the safety of the public.
Please be advised that the above mentioned is not an isolated incident. There
have been numerous other examples of violence directed towards KCAC Lifeguards
and Custodians, the most recent of which are as follows: Comm. rlci (7"~. I ~O
11/24/05 -Male KCAC Lifeguard was beaten unconscious outside the workplace by Ref, To: ~ G
a former pool patron in retaliation for Lifeguard enforcing pool rules. It was Ref. Lo`e _MAR 1 6
later learned that this former patron is reported bylaw enforcement to be
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armed and very dangerous.
2/22/05 -Police called because a fist fight between a man and a woman at the
NE doorway to the Kona Gymnasium which is less than 15 feet from the SE gate
to KCAC.
3/1/05 -Male patron of KCAC was arrested for trespassing at KCAC. This patron
had previously assaulted a KCAC Custodian. It was later learned from police
that this individual is also armed and very dangerous.
3/6/05 -Police were called 4 times to request help for an emergency situation
in which a KCAC patron was exhibiting violent behavior and making violent
threats toward KCAC staff and patrons. The details of this incident were
provided above.
3/13/05 -Police were called because an unruly gymnasium crowd gathered at the
NE doorway to the Kona Gymnasium and SE gate to KCAC created a disturbance and
posed a public safety risk to all KCAC staff and patrons.
3/13/05 -Police were called because a female patron of KCAC assaulted a
female KCAC Lifeguard at the NW doorway to the Kona Gymnasium and SW gate to
KCAC.
3/13/05 -Police served a trespass notice on a female KCAC patron for
directing verbal threats and profane language toward a male Hawaii County
Beach Captain inside and outside of KCAC.
As you can see, the violent behavior of KCAC and Kona Gymnasium patrons has
created a serious safety issue to the community and to County of Hawaii
employees. I ask you the following questions:
1) How can KCAC Lifeguards carry out their primary duty as Lifeguard and watch
the water if they are worrying about patrons who are threatening Lifeguards?
2) How can KCAC Lifeguards respond effectively and protect the public in a
real emergency when the County of Hawaii Police are unavailable and KCAC
Lifeguards in a true emergency are told the police are 'busy'?
3) How can KCAC Lifeguards effectively enforce rules if, as a result, their
personal safety is at stake both on and off the job?
4) How can the safety of pool patrons be assured if KCAC Lifeguards cannot
ensure their own safety and the safety of co-workers at KCAC?
There are clear and present dangers at KCAC that seriously compromise County
personnel and public safety. Immediate precautions need to be taken to protect
the KCAC facility.
In conclusion, since there are only eight County of Hawaii patrol officers for
all of West Hawaii, I strongly propose the immediate stationing of a security
guard at KCAC at least on holidays and weekends until a long term solution can
be formulated.
Thank you, Council Members, for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Dorothy Browne
Kailua-Kona, HI
327-3500
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