Question: In the past the Honolulu Police Department took complaints over the phone. Now I understand they changed the policy and have a police officer come to talk to you in person. Can you make a police report over the phone?
Answer: No, not at the moment. However, HPD plans to bring back its alternate call service (ACS) on a limited basis this summer. This will allow “the public to once again report certain crimes, such as car break-ins and lost property, by phone,” said Michelle Yu, an HPD spokeswoman.
ACS was discontinued about a decade ago, she said. The exact date for its return has not been set.
“We are trying to make it easier for the public to report incidents and, at the same time, free up officers to respond to those situations which require an officer’s presence,” said Police Chief Susan Ballard. “It’s a win-win for the community and the police.”
Q: Regarding the Zippy’s credit card breach, has the state finished its investigation? Are there any updates?
A: No, the state Office of Consumer Protection’s investigation is ongoing, said William Nhieu, a spokesman for the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
Consumers with concerns or complaints about the data security failure should report them to OCP, Nhieu said. Call 586-2630 or email ocp@dcca.hawaii.gov, he said.
The breach primarily involved debit and credit cards used at Zippy’s Restaurants, Napoleon’s Bakery, Kahala Sushi and Pearl City Sushi between Nov. 23 and March 29, according to the company, which provides information at www.zippys.com.
Q: What is a “soft lockdown”?
A: Your question refers to news reports that Kamehameha Schools’ Kapalama campus was on “soft lockdown” Thursday morning while Honolulu police searched for an armed car thief in the surrounding neighborhood.
A soft lockdown, or community lockdown, means there is a danger in the area, but the threat is not known to be on campus, according to Kamehameha Schools’ campus security website.
During a soft lockdown, all students move into classrooms and the classrooms are locked, but instruction continues, it said.
Q: When you purchase a new refrigerator, you can get the delivery people to take away the old one. If that’s not an option, what’s the best way to get rid of an old refrigerator? It’s my understanding that the bulky-trash guys won’t take it. Can it be dropped off at one of the regional refuse sites?
A: “Refrigerators are collected as residential bulky items, so these should be placed curbside, no earlier than the night before the scheduled collection. All remnants of food should be removed. Residents should remove, tape or secure doors by placing the doors against the ground or a wall to prevent them from opening,” said Markus Owens, spokesman for the city’s Department of Environmental Services.
Perhaps you were mistaken about bulky pickup because you’ve seen crews leave refrigerators behind. That’s because large metal appliances are collected separately and ultimately go to a metal recycling company. Refrigerators have an interim step, to remove and recycle the Freon they contain.
In answer to your question, yes, you also may bring the refrigerator to a city drop-off convenience center. If the refrigerator is in good condition, you might prefer to donate it for continued use; check 808ne.ws/frig for charitable options.
Mahalo
Much mahalo to the person who found and turned in my car key lanyard at Costco Kapolei. It was a Los Angeles Rams lanyard, and I was totally stuck without that key. Thank you so much and God bless you. — Always grateful, R.W.
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
