HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0124.021 2004-2006 From: Tina Mohr [therapyoptions@turquoise.net]
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 3:54 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Cc: cassie_holmes@hotmail.com; hawaii dot
Subject: testimoney ` ,
.
C _
March 16, 2005
Aloha Council Members,
Immediate action needs to be taken at Kona Community Aquatics Center (KCAC) to better protect the public safety at the
KCAC facility. Because KCAC is a public facility with no charge for entrance and use of the pool facility, a wikl~ range of
the public uses KCAC. Anyone can walk into KCAC during hours of operation and sometimes there are patrons who
compromise the safety of othes at KCAC because of their abusive and even violent behavior.
Particularly, I am aware of and have witnessed problems related to violence toward County of Hawaii Lifeguards and staff.
The KCAC facility has been required to be locked down and/ or evacuated due to compromised safety because of threats
and acts of violence at KCAC toward patrons and pool personnel. Inadequate response by law enforcement officials due
to a shortage of officers in the Hawaii County Police Department has left KCAC ripe for the County's liability should
someone be seriously injured due to the violence that occurs regularly at KCAC. Lifeguards are not law enforcement
officials and should not be required to act as such in the absence of adequate law enforcement protection. Placing a
security guard at KCAC during weekends and holidays should strongly be considered as an immediate solution and should
be budgeted far accordingly. This will 1) enhance public safety at KCAC 2) limit the County's liability against public or
personnel injury from violence at KCAC and 3) allow the KCAC Lifeguards to themselves be safe while at work fulfilling
their primary obligation of ensuring the public's aquatic safety.
Thank you for hearing my concerns.
Sincerely,
Tina Mohr
Kailua-Kona, HI
325-0370
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