Population growth and concerns over crime have prompted some residents and officials to call for a greater police presence on the Leeward Coast.
City Councilwoman Kymberly Pine, who represents the area, introduced two resolutions urging the Honolulu Police Department to “add more officers to better cover District 8,” which spans Ewa Beach to Waianae, and to report on the establishment of a new patrol district in Waianae.
Pine said she hopes the measures will help provide relief to her Council district, the third most populated on Oahu, raking in the third highest number of criminal offenses in 2013, as much of the island’s growth is expected in West Oahu.
The resolutions were reported out of the Committee on Public Health, Safety and Welfare on Tuesday and will be up for adoption by the City Council.
“We try our best to solve the problems ourselves. And when we can’t, you introduce these things and get the public discussion,” Pine said. “My job is to make sure that the … city is properly protected and that our city workers aren’t stretched too thin.”
But HPD Maj. Kurt Kendro of District 8 said the police department is opposed to the resolution, citing a “long-standing process” that evaluates staffing levels, where officials request more personnel if necessary during the budget process.
“When we request positions as needed, we’re not looking at one district,” Kendro told Council members. “We’re looking at the department and islandwide.”
District 8, one of eight islandwide, encompasses three patrol sectors and 20 beats, with 164 authorized positions, 150 of which are filled, Kendro said. The district operates at one officer per 1,000 residents, whereas islandwide officers operate at a 1 to 455 ratio, he said.
He said staffing levels per shift fluctuate but added that about 75 officers work in the area each day.
Last year, the number of calls for service in District 8 exceeded 85,800, with 86,100 in 2013 and nearly 90,000 in 2012.
The number of crimes and violations in District 8 totaled 4,712, including nearly 3,000 larcenies, 870 burglaries and 266 aggravated assaults in 2013. In 2012, the number of offenses was 4,636, with 4,134 in 2011 and 4,189 in 2010, according to HPD’s annual statistics reports.
District 1, which covers Central Honolulu, racked up the highest number of crimes in 2013, followed by District 3, spanning Waipahu to Halawa.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Pine also questioned Kendro about the reconstruction of the Waianae substation that she said was initially pitched to serve as the base quarters of a new district.
Kendro maintained that a new patrol district is “an abstract concept” and officials do not have plans at this time to establish another one in Waianae. The Waianae substation was nearly 50 years old and did not meet certain standards, which warranted the rebuilding, he said.
“With the ever-changing face of Oahu, it would be almost restrictive in nature if we designate that (Waianae) as District 9,” Kendro said. “At this time, we intend to staff the Waianae police station once it opens. But to rise it and name it as District 9, at this point, no. We would not like to do this at this time.”
He said HPD may have to consider refocusing a new district in the Central Oahu area, including parts of Kapolei, Ewa Beach, Kunia and Mililani.
Councilman Ron Menor, who represents Royal Kunia and parts of Ewa Beach, agreed with Pine, saying that the measures are “forward looking.”
“When the major development occurs and thousands of new residents relocate and move into the communities of District 8, HPD is not going to have any other choice but to increase the number of police officers in the communities of West Oahu,” Menor said.
Patty Teruya, a member of the Nanakuli/Maili Neighborhood Board, said she wants to support more HPD presence but questioned the timing of the measures and whether there would be enough funding.
“We are concerned about the crime out here like every other district and community,” Teruya said. “Anybody would take the support in the community. But then you need to ask, why are we looking for more officers? Are we not covered?”
