Question: I routinely observe police officers stop traffic on Moanalua Road to allow cars to leave the Kam Swap Meet. At times this causes traffic on Moanalua to back up into the intersection, causing a potentially dangerous situation. As I understand it, these are off-duty police officers supplementing their income, but I believe what they are doing is an abuse of police powers. They are working for and getting paid by Kam Swap Meet yet allowed to wear their police uniforms. Exactly what legal right does someone not working in the capacity of a police officer and getting paid by a private concern have to stop traffic?
Answer: Special-duty officers “have the same police authority as on-duty officers,” said Maj. Clayton Saito, commander of the Honolulu Police Department’s District 3 (Pearl City area).
“In this case the officer is hired to facilitate traffic flow between the swap meet and Kaonohi Street,” he said.
If you believe that a special-duty officer is acting improperly, you should call 911 and ask to speak to a sergeant, who “will go to the scene and assess the situation,” Saito said.
We’ve explained the hiring of special-duty police and state deputy sheriffs to facilitate traffic flow at schools, construction sites and community events. (See is.gd/jRLBwl.)
They also can be hired to provide security and to escort heavy or oversize equipment and funeral processions.
HPD officers are not allowed to be hired by parties involved in a labor, civil or criminal dispute; for any labor union gathering; as private bodyguards; as part of partisan politics; at places where the primary business is the sale or consumption of liquor; or anything that conflicts with established HPD policies.
For more information, go to honolulupd.org and click on “information.”
Question: We live on Puamohala Street, a small dead-end street in Kaneohe, where it is always a struggle to put trash cans out on a trash day as people do not move their cars until the last minute.
One of my neighbor told us there used to be a few “no parking” signs in the street so it used to be easy putting trash cans out and to make turns. However, someone illegally removed the signs to accommodate his parking needs. These no-parking signs used to be visible in old Google maps.
Does the city keep the record of these signs and location? How do we proceed to get these no-parking signs back?
Answer: Traffic engineers with the city Department of Transportation Services reviewed their records and plans and found no record of the department ever installing any parking restriction signs in the area you indicate, said DTS Director Michael Formby.
He pointed out that in Section 15-14.1(a)(27) of the city’s Traffic Code, parking is prohibited in a turnaround area such as on Puamohala Street, and signs are not necessary for enforcement.
If cars are parked illegally, you should call the Honolulu Police Department at 911, noting it is a nonemergency.
MAHALO
To all those people who helped us buy a new home accessible for all the needs of a disabled U.S. veteran, making a dream become a reality. The journey began with Tony Diaz, our mortgage assessor and his Realtor ohana, who worked long and hard to secure a suitable place for our family. Raymond Chang, our Veterans Administration loan officer and guarantor, and his assistant, Darrel, checked every detail to make sure we got a comfortable home. D.R. Horton Co. and its talented workers constructed what’s become our home sweet home. Mahalo to M. Watanabe Electrical Contractor and its employees for their professional workmanship, and to CertainTeed Solar Co. for installing solar-powered panels free of charge. They are new here in our Aloha State but displayed the true aloha spirit. I was disabled while in the military, enduring pain until the day I retired. This home is a blessing that our God has provided through the kind hearts of all these companies and their workers. Mahalo and God bless them all. — Lusi Fraser Jr. and family
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