HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWC 194 10/26/1987 1984-1988 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
DATE: October 26 , 1987
PLACE : Councilroom
TIME : 9 :00 a.m .
Chairman and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Public Works, to which was referred Communication
-No . 1292 and its attached Bill No . 426 , reports as follows:
Bill 426 proposes to amend Chapter 14 of the Hawaii County Code 1983
by adding a new article that formally establishes the Neighborhood
Watch Program under the Hawaii County Police Department and
authorizes the construction , installation and removal of neighborhood
watch signs on public property . The bill authorizes the Chief of
Police to adopt rules as necessary to implement , administer , and
enforce the provisions of this article.
Your Committee on Public Works has reviewed Bill 426 and
Communication 1292 .
Your Committee on Public Works has read a letter dated August 19 ,
1987 , from the Chief of Police commenting as follows on a
Neighborhood Watch Program in our community:
1 . The Community Relations Section of the Police
Department went to Honolulu in July 1987 for training on
the implementation of the Neighborhood Watch Program in
the County of Hawaii .
2 . The Police Department has contacted community
leaders in Hilo, Kona and Volcano to organize
Neighborhood Watch Programs in their districts .
3 . Bill 426 would facilitate the organization and
implementation of the Neighborhood Watch program.
Your Committee has also studied material on the City and County of
Honolulu 's Neighborhood Security Watch Program as follows:
1 . Letter from Douglas Gibb , Chief of Police , City and
County of Honolulu , citing the extent of the
Neighborhood Security Watch Program and expressing that
the Program has been successful in reducing crime .
2 . Budgeted operating cost for three police officers
for the Neighborhood Security Watch Program in the City
and County of Honolulu .
PWC REPORT 194
ADOPTED : NOV 4 1987
PWC-194 Page 2 October 26 , 1987
3 . A Bill for an Ordinance Relating to the Display of
Neighborhood Watch Signs on Public Property .
4 . A list of Honolulu Neighborhood Security Watch
Programs .
5 . Cost information for Neighborhood Security Watch
sign ( $155 .00 per sign ) installed by the Department of
Transportation Service .
6 . Sample application for a Neighborhood Security Watch
sign , including a sample map of neighborhood for which
an application is sought .
Your Committee is aware that the Neighborhood Watch Program has won
recognition from the National Association of Counties and other
jurisdictions are initiating Neighborhood Watch programs . The
program extends the eyes and ears of the Police Department and makes
the department 's job easier .
Your Committee understands that Bill 426 would allow placement of
Neighborhood Watch Signs on public property because it so authorizes
the Chief of Police, "a public officer in the performance of a public
duty, " as cited in Section 3-22 (a) ( 4 ) , Hawaii County Code , 1983 .
Your Committee understands that the Corporation Counsel sees two
possible situations of concern regarding the Neighborhood Watch Signs
as follows:
1 . Signs might block drivers ' clear view of traffic
control signs .
2 . Signs might create a hazard if located too close to
roadways .
In the final analysis by the Corporation Counsel , however , the
possibility of a claim being filed for judgment against the County
seems very remote .
Your Committee is also aware of a letter from the Deputy Chief
Engineer , supporting the Neighborhood Watch Signs program and
providing estimates for in-house construction and installation of
signs . The estimated cost for materials and installation is $100 .00
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PWC-194 Page 3 October 26 , 1987
per sign, which breaks down to $57 .00 for materials and $43 .00 for
labor . If 50 signs were needed per year , $5 ,000 .00 would have to be
budgeted annually in a general fund account to cover the cost because
traffic or highway funds can ' t be used for Neighborhood Watch signs .
Public Works Department emphasized that traffic signs would have the
priority over Neighborhood Watch Signs and that the present workload
would not allow the Neighborhood Watch Sign placement to be expedited .
Your Committee also heard testimony that by the time the bill is
enacted, half of fiscal year 1988 will be over and the amount needed
for construction and installation of signs will be small , perhaps
between $500 and $2,500 .
Your Committee discussed the possibility of the construction and
installation of signs being provided by private community service
organizations and Neighborhood Watch Program participants . Your
Committee heard from the Finance Committee Chairperson that the
Finance Committee would look at the funding after the enactment of
this bill .
Your Committee supports the Neighborhood Watch Program.
Your Committee on Public Works recommends passage of Bill 426 , on
first reading, by the County Council .
As, C■ • A
RLE K. LAI , '" " RWOMAN
i..- SSELL S. KOKUBU VICE CHAIRMAN FRANK DE LUZ III MEMBER
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TAKASHI DOMINGO, MEMBER ROBERT N. HERKES, MEMBER
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