HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0122.006 2018-2020 P/Psi
COMIC 121
From: Spencer
To: Council Testimony
Cc:. Kanealii-Kleinfelder,Matt
Subject: Testimony in Support of Resolution 65-19
Date: Monday,March 11,2019 9:48:47 AM
Councilmember Rebecca Villegas, Chair
Councilmember Karen Eoff, Vice Chair
Hawaii County Council Committee on Public Safety a„c-,)
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Spencer Kaleo Wright, 11-3266 Hibiscus St, Mountain View, HI '
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Tuesday, March 12, 2019 7.�
Testimony in Support of Resolution 65-19
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Chairperson Villegas, Chairperson Eoff, and Members of the Committee,
I am writing in support of Resolution 65-19, Matt Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder's request for an increase
in funding for additional police presence in the District of Puna. As a resident of Fern Acres, in
Mountain View, I can attest to a dramatic increase in crime. In our little stretch of Hibiscus
Street, over one third of households have either been burglarized or had burglaries attempted
just since last summer. Our neighborhood is not alone. All throughout Fern Acres, Hawaiian
Acres, Ainaloa, Volcano, and really pretty much all of upper Puna there has been an escalating
crime wave. Homeowners have been confronting thieves, and the thieves have been getting
bolder. Now we are seeing armed robberies, like the two recently in Hawaiian Acres. In the
face of wholly inadequate police presence, residents are starting to make armed responses to
criminal activity. Our near future holds more violence and even murder. The shooting death of
Denton Freitas in Fern Acres last November should make that clear to all.
Councilman Matt's resolution states that his request for additional funds is to account for
population growth. While it is true that Puna has seen substantial growth year to year, please •
understand that there has been an explosion of new construction in upper Puna since the
Leilani eruption last year. The sound of bulldozers in the forest is now continuous, even on
weekends. Expect to see the population figures for 2019 take a strong uptick. And expect to
see the construction sites and new, naive residents present obvious targets for criminals.
Beyond the demands placed by increased population growth, Puna's requirement for more
police officers comes from a notably higher rate of crime. Much of this crime is fueled by
addiction to crystal methamphetamine and opioids. And Puna is a haven for the drug houses
that sell it.The lower density and diminished police presence make drug houses omnipresent
here in Puna.Their customers are not restricted to the local area. The nearby drug house on
our street has customers coming from Hilo and other areas where stronger law enforcement
Comm. No. 2219
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Ref. Date MAR 11 2019
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inhibits sales. Shutting down these drug houses will benefit not only Puna, but all of Hawaii
Island.This can only be accomplished with a focused law enforcement effort, and with the
resources to back it up.This can only be accomplished with increased funding.
Please vote in favor of Councilman Matt Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder's Resolution 65-19. Please
increase our police presence in Puna. We are in crisis, and the responsibility to avert more
bloodshed is in your hands.
•
me ka `oia'i'o,
Spencer Kaleo Wright
11-3266 Hibiscus Street
Mountain View, Hawaii