HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0742.019 1996-1998Stephen K. Yamashiro
Mayor
March 18, 1998
TO
FROM
SUBJECT
}= j,,'•,% Wayne G. Carvalho
• Police Chief
'• - - • �^ ,+- James S. Correa
WN15ep,ty Police Chief
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POLICE CHIEF'S
1998-99 BUDGET REMARKS
The Governor's Hawaii Economic Revitalization Task Force
put it best: "Hawaii is facing a serious economic challenge. The
downturn is reaching into a seventh year, stretching any
conceivable definition of a cyclical downturn."
Like other departments, the Hawaii County Police Department
has hitched up its belt more than a few notches and, in spite of
increasing costs, is striving to operate more economically and
efficiently in order to meet the public's growing needs with fewer
government resources. We have looked to other sources of funding,
such as Community Policing Grants and other federal and local law
enforcement block grants, to supplement our public safety programs.
Because of the bleak economic forecast and until funds
become available, we are deferring important projects such as
improving the Kona district's radio coverage to eliminate blind
spots ($250,000) and the long overdue project of renovating the
Captain Cook Police Station and making South Kona into a separate
police district (about $866,000).
With the number of personnel vacancies and a resulting
shortage of manpower, our actual overtime expenses for fiscal year
1996-97 were 34 percent higher than the budgeted amount of nearly
$1.3 million. To make up for this shortage, we were mandated to
transfer funds from our regular salaries and wages. Because we
intend to aggressively fill vacant positions, however, this source
of funding will be either diminished or unavailable in fiscal year
1998-99. And because hiring additional personnel may lower
overtime costs, we propose an increase of only 27 percent in our
overtime accounts for fiscal year 1998-99. This represents a
7 percent reduction from our actual costs in fiscal year 1996-97.
Our manpower is limited, and since we are a seven-day-a-week,
24-hours-a-day operation, overtime for major case investigations,
court appearances, unpredictable natural disasters and the like is
inevitable.
Some important programs and improvements are moving ahead,
however.
Despite initial setbacks and delays in the procurement of
the computer aided dispatch system (CADS), we are now in the final
stages of executing a professional services contract. CADS will
eventually be interfaced with our future records management
system. This computer system will enhance our overall efficiency,
response time and effectiveness in solving crimes. Installation
and training should begin in the early spring of 1998.
We are also continuing our efforts to expand our Community
Policing Program through grants from the Federal government.
Before this fiscal year, we were awarded three grants totaling
slightly more than $1 million to train 14 officers. During the
current fiscal year, we were able to secure a fourth grant for
$675,000 to fund nine additional community policing positions.
This will bring the total of community policing officers to 23,
which will allow us to have a Community Policing Program in every
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district on the Big Island. The Community Policing Program has
proven itself to be highly effective in curtailing crime and has
been well received in our Big Island communities.
Despite the loss of State funding for a full-time position
of a DUI coordinator, we are continuing our efforts to enforce the
law and apprehend drivers under the influence of alcohol and
drugs. During the last calender year, for example, Big Island
police arrested 755 motorists for drunk driving, a 20 percent
increase over the 632 arrested in 1996. A full-time DUI
coordinator's position, which is not included in our budget
proposal, would cost $47,650.
The State Supreme Court's decision on privatization in the
Konno vs. County of Hawaii case may have the most serious impact
on our future budgets. As a result of a settlement agreement
between the County and SHOPO, we may continue with our cellblock
security contract until June 30, 1998. As of July 1, 1998 we must
have civil servants in place to assume the duties previously done
by contract. Total estimated costs, which are not included in our
budget, is $900,000.
Our capital improvement projects schedule for fiscal year
1998-99 includes expanding the cellblock in Hilo at an estimated
cost of nearly $1.4 million. Because our present cellblock in
Hilo can hold only five prisoners, we have, at times, been forced
to double or triple -bunk inmates. Expansion of the cellblock is
essential to comply with the American Correctional Standards. We
will be awarded $300,000 in CDBG funds for our cellblock
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expansion. These funds are designated for plans, design and an
environmental impact statement. Construction for this project is
scheduled to begin in fiscal year 1999-2000.
Also, because of Federal Communications Commission policy,
we will be competing with the private sector to utilize our radio
frequencies. This could significantly impact our public safety
communications system. Therefore, we have scheduled a police 800
megahertz conversion capital improvement project starting in
fiscal year 1998-99. This will be constructed in five phases at a
total cost of $21 million, so we will be forced to seek financial
assistance for this in the State Legislature as it is not included
in the County CIP budget.
As we approach the 21st Century, we are aware of the
technological changes that have made policing more effective. As
a result, we have improved our efficiency in the handling of
emergency situations, in the apprehension of criminal suspects and
in meeting the increasing needs of our Big Island communities. In
1996 we reduced the crime rate to its lowest level since 1987 and
increased our clearance levels significantly. Ironically,
technology and efficiency don't always translate into the need for
fewer personnel. Frequently, the opposite is true.
We realize, however, that the County of Hawaii is
experiencing a sluggish economy and that the future is filled with
economic uncertainties. The Hawaii County Police Department has
made a sincere effort in its budget proposals to hold down costs
without jeopardizing operations.
ME
Despite the uncertainty of future funding, however, we are
persisting in our efforts to prevent crime and enforce our laws.
And we hope to be able to provide the public with the same high
level of professionalism and maintain our 1996 record of having
the lowest crime rate in the State.
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