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COUNTY OF HAWAII �- `' / •...:-..-::................. j STATE OF HAWAII
RESOLUTION NO. 65 19
A RESOLUTION URGING AN INCREASE OF FUNDING FOR ADDITIONAL POLICE
PRESENCE IN THE DISTRICT OF PUNA TO ACCOUNT FOR POPULATION
GROWTH.
WHEREAS,the Hawai`i County Police Department is charged with preserving the
public peace,preventing crime, and protecting the rights of persons and property by enforcing
the laws of the United States,the State of Hawaii, and the County of Hawai`i; and
WHEREAS, the Vision Statement of the Hawaii Police Department articulates a
commitment to providing the highest quality of police service and forming partnerships with the
community to achieve public satisfaction making the Big Island a safe place to live, visit, and
conduct business; and
WHEREAS, the District of Puna is located on the windward side of Hawai`i Island, has
an area of 686 square miles, and is a rural district comprised of mainly private unpaved roads;
and
WHEREAS,the U.S. Census data for the District of Puna on Hawai`i Island reported a
total of 31,335 people in 2000 and 45,326 people in 2010;forecasting a 45 percent increase in
population,which would equate to 65,723 residents by 2020; and
WHEREAS,the Hawai`i Police Department reports receiving 42,652 calls for service
for the District of Puna in 2018; a 117 percent increase from calls for service received in 2008
(19,621); and
WHEREAS, the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program reports that in 2016,police
departments serving cities with populations exceeding 25,000 residents employed an average of
16.8 officers per shift for every 10,000 residents; while the District of Puna is currently patrolled
by only eight officers per shift, equaling a ratio of 1.78 officers for every 10,000 residents; and
WHEREAS, many areas in the District of Puna have poor visibility, isolated homes, and
rugged terrain, making conditions exceptionally hazardous, which increases risk and response
times for police officers attempting to help those in need of assistance; and
WHEREAS,new neighborhoods, businesses, and parks such as the Puna Kai Center and
the Pahoa Regional Park, have been or are in the process of being built in Puna, requiring more
services including police patrols and response commensurate to those required by existing
neighborhoods, businesses, and parks; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it
urges an increase of'funding for additional police pre:,ennee the District of Puna to account for
the substantial growth in population and subsequent need for police services.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVE!) that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this
resolution to the Honorable Harry Kim. Mayor; Deanna. Sako. Director of Finance; and.Paul
Ferreira, Police Chief.
Dated at Kona . Hawaii, this 28th day of March , 20 19 •
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
COUNTY CO NCILROLL CALL VOTE
ii
County of Hawa -_-___.__,_____.-__-- AYES
NOES ABS EX _-
Hilo, Hawai`i C i T1 t X
DAv ii:) X
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION wa Lay Eon,' X I
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted h'the COI TN( II. of th
County of Hawai`i on March 28 2019 -_ _ - k.� l:1I,i'[-1K1 RPM. iX
KILTIVWWW7 X
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ATTEST: P(: 1NDI X IYR X
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LINTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESII)IN FICER I. Se::I.L ION NO. 6S 19__