HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0324.006 1998-2000 RECD=i`~-`E(~
'99 AUG 9 A~1 10 28
LEILANI NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
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Gordon Nosh, Coordinator
- 13-3619 KUMAKAHI ST.
PAHOA. HI. 96778
June 11, 1999
AI Smith, Councilman
County Council
23 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI. 96720
Dear AI,
I want to express our concern regarding the current use of our three Community Police
Officers assigned to the Puna District. As you are well aware, the Neighborhood Watch
Programs are growing in the Puna District and the crime rate is decreasing. Many
communities are just in the early phase of starting up and the officers need to spend much
more time with them, as a lot of work needs to be done in these early stages. Even in a
subdivision such as Leilani, who does have an established program, we periodically need
to be in close touch with the officers for problems in our area. Prevention is the key to
these programs and a close association with the community police officer is essential.
Our current community police officers are not able to spend the much needed time with
the communities as they are being utilized as beat officers and not community police
officers. Even the two federally funded officers are being used as beat officers. This
leaves the neighborhood watch programs in the Puna District without an officer to guide
them. Everything must wait until an officer has the time which is becoming fewer and
far between. Our three community police officers are excellent for these positions. They _
want to do a good job for us and we appreciate all of their efforts but their hands are tied
and they are becoming less and less involved in the prevention of these crimes in a
community watch setting. With our support cut, it is only a matter of time before some
of the neighborhood watch programs will fail.
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I was in Hilo three months ago, attending a Big Island Community Safety Planning
Seminar and this problem was discussed. I was assured by Chief Carvalho that the
CPO's would be back on their regular duties within one month. This has not happened.
_ In fact, it has gotten worse. Currently, we only have our CPO one day a week, if we are
lucky, and in fact, this week the one day he has, will be spent in Hilo doing other chores
and we will not see him this week either.
- The continuation of our Neighborhood Watch Program depend on these officers. We
need to be able to communicate with them daily if we need to. The other subdivisions
are having the same problems and are becoming disheartened. We~cannot afford this to
happen. The safety of our subdivisions depends of the connection between the watch
patrol members and the police officers.
Any heap from you will be much appreciated.
• Sincerely,
Gordon Nash