Break-ins Spur Crime Meeting
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Del.icio.usPolice and city prosecutors faced hundreds of frustrated Aikahi and Kalaheo Hillside residents Nov. 21 at Aikahi Elementary School, as they sought relief from a rash of recent break-ins.
The meeting was called after an adult suspect had been arrested, and then released, explained Windward Neighborhood Security Watch chairwoman Carlene MacPherson.
“Although HPD caught one of the people suspected,” she told the Islander prior to the Aikahi forum, “he was able to bail out, and this has angered residents. Crime is happening again. They can’t say for sure it’s the same guy, but the coincidence is that he is out and crime is up.”
Neighbors also suspect a group of youths, and wonder why they haven’t been stopped. One angry victim made the familiar general statement: “The root of the problem is there’s no penalty for these guys. They have 50 to 60 priors, and yet they still get away with it.”
Police officer Sonny Kanoho and Lt. Tasman McKee tried to explain why they “get away with it.”
“We need eyewitnesses,” said McKee, a veteran HPD detective. “The best evidence for the prosecutors is, the more eyewitnesses the better. Often we can’t find anybody to get involved, even if they saw something.”
And if you do see something, no matter how minor or seemingly unrelated, he told the crowd, call 911. “Don’t worry that we have something better to do because, guess what? We don’t.”
Eyewitnesses also must be willing to follow up with signed, written statements and be available to testify, they explained. In an investigation, clues do not instantly become certifiable evidence.
“It’s not like in the movies or TV cases,” Kanoho said, “where officers come to the crime scene dressed in suits no sweating, dust for prints, and get 100 percent confirmation just like that.
“Mostly we rely on tips now because we don’t always know the suspects,” he added, noting that criminals “come over the mountain” from town.
Mark and photograph your property, and follow up at pawn shops in the search for stolen items, they advised. “Smart” thieves, however, are trading items for drugs now more than pawning them. Secure your homes, don’t fall for sob stories at your front door, keep a sharp eye on your street and know your neighbors.
Tana Kekina-Cabaniero of the city prosecutor’s office had more tips: “If you know these kids, find out if they’re in school. If not, HPD can bring them back to class. If they have a record and if they are on probation, they can be locked up.”
A social worker in the audience disputed the “lock up” solution and said she was just grateful there’s not much violence so far. “I think it’s better that they’re looking for an empty house.”
The key message that came across: Join or form a neighborhood watch or patrol group. Ready to help: Community Policing at 7238874, MacPherson at 2361234 or email her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
To check local crime data, go to honolulupd.org.
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