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Mayor Kirk Caldwell assured Honolulu residents that the city is safe in the aftermath of the fatal bomb blasts at the Boston Marathon today.
“Our city is the safest big city in America. And it’s due to the efforts of our police officers, our fire fighters and our EMS personnel. No doubt in my mind. They get all the credit,” Caldwell said. “I do know that when there are public events they are around. I don’t know to what level and perhaps we shouldn’t know everything that they’re doing, but I know they’ve really ramped it up, with (the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation in November 2011).
“They have a lot of new equipment. They’re working much more closely with Homeland Security,’ the mayor said at a news conference this morning to discuss road repair issues.
There is a “strong web of connection” locally between state, county and federal security officials, he added.
HPD Deputy Chief Dave Kajihiro reiterated the mayor’s sentiments, saying “HPD works closely with other law enforcement agencies and is immediately notified whenever there is an incident such as the explosions in Boston.
“We are presently receiving updates and are closely monitoring developments,” Kajihiro said in a written statement. “There have been no threats locally. As a precaution, patrol officers will be making more frequent checks of certain facilities and locations.
“Anyone who observes suspicious persons or activity should call 911 immediately.”
FBI Special Agent Tom Simon in Honolulu also said today that there is no credible threat to Hawaii.
A statement from state Department of Public Safety officials said they “will work with our law enforcement partners, both county and federal, to decide if any other security measures are needed, based upon the current threat analysis for Hawaii.
“The public can be assured that, based upon today’s events, large venues or activities will be scrutinized thoroughly,” the statement said.
Caldwell said he would discuss security at events during his next weekly meeting with the chief of police.
“I like to believe the people of Honolulu, with the aloha spirit and how we’re a small community … that these bad things will never happen here. But we need to be prepared. Always plan for the worst and hope for the best,” the mayor said.
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Star-Advertiser reporters Gordon Y.K. Pang and Mary Vorsino contributed to this report.
