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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1088.004 2006-2008 TESTIMONY OF ROBERT L REICHMAN TUESDAY 22 APRIL 2008 HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL IN OPPOSITION TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF FEDERAL FUNDS FOR HELICOPTER SURVEILLANCE My name if Bob Reichman, aka Makalawena Bob. I am a commercial pilot and certified flight instructor. I was an elected member of county government in California for eight years. I am a resident of this island for 39 years. I'm 72 years old. I've been in enforcement on this island for the past 20 years up to and including the present. I am a credible witness. On Friday, 4 April 20081, Dr. Richard Liebman who is also a pilot and construction worker Joe Ayer started a Citizens Observation Group. Our commitment is to gather and make public accurate first hand witnessing of low flying surveillance helicopter flights that obviously intrude on everyday citizens' rights of protection from illegal search and seizure and the illegal infringement on our privacy. (Helicopters at less than 500'). Also on 4 April 2008, at 11:00 am myself, Richard Liebman, Joe Ayers, Mike Ramsey, Duane Elliot, Mike Hardgrove and Farrah of Sage Farms all witnessed collectively and separately a big black helicopter flying at tree top level in North Kohala around the farms and neighborhoods of Hawi. On Tuesday, 10 April 2008, immediately following the County Council Committee meeting in Hilo I filed a formal complaint regarding this flight with Lt. Lucy Melemai who looked into my issue. She verified that the "bird" was on an HPD police mission in the area and at the time and places reported. She also stated that Sgt. Sherrie Byrd, who was in the craft, indicated that I must be mistaken because the helicopter did not go under 1000 ft. She thought I must have seen a tour helicopter that they assert was in the area at the same time. I say, balderdash. Lt Melemai assured me that "the last thing we (the police) want is negative relations with the public." I and my neighbors are not mistaken. Lt Lucy Melemai and Sgt. Sherrie Byrd are now being questioned about their handling of this citizen's complaint. Negative relations with the public are exactly what Lt Lucy Melemai generated. I've got seven credible observers including myself that are willing to state what they witnessed. This occurrence was in direct violation of County Council Resolution 4601(4'" amendment) of 9 March 2001. This helicopter was also in direct violation of the HPD internal policy which was drawn up to be in conformance with Council Resolution 4601. It appears that the Council could care less. In fact I spoke to Pete Hoffman, North Kohala's representative on the Council about this violation and he stated that he had no knowledge of the resolution but that it wouldn't change his vote. If the Council is claiming ignorance and the police are claiming I'm mistaken where do we, the people, go to seek redress for these violations? I'm suggesting that If you decided to approve the acceptance of federal funds and continue the practice of not requiring accountability from HPD, that at least you add an amendment to the approval Gomm. No. Ref. Toil Ref. Dote APR 2 2 2(][1R resolution. This admendment would require a secure, tamper proof black box to be placed in all aircraft on police missions. This black box would have a GPS which records and charts the route flown and a recording altimeter which tracks the GPS. When a complaint is made this record could be checked and solve all questions of credibiiity. The record would also provide the evidendence we as citizens need in order to pursue other measures to enforce our rights. I have been the victim of this sort of police intimidation on this Island since 1971 when the first helicopter flew. I have also been testifying in front of this County Council on this issue since 1971 when the protests first started. Its time for the Council to "just say now to these flights and make the statement that we will protect our citizens. Its not a question of the legality of cannabis. It's a case of the infringement of the rights and freedoms of normal, law-abiding citizens. Bring peace to this Island - its in your vote.