HAWAI`I CRIME-PREVENTION EFFORTS HIGHLIGHTED
For Immediate Release: October 31, 2007
HONOLULU – Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona Jr. along with
three top law enforcement officials announced today during a news conference
at the State Capitol results of coordinated, crime prevention efforts within
the state.
Chief among them were signs of progress from steps taken to curb crystal
methamphetamine use, or “Ice,” across Hawai‘i. U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo Jr.,
Attorney General Mark Bennett, Honolulu Deputy Police Chief Michael Tucker
and the Lt. Governor also highlighted key efforts to prevent crime against
residents and visitors alike.
Examples included ‘Ewa Weed and Seed, which was recently recognized at the
National Conference on Preventing Crime, and the Hawai‘i Hotel Visitor
Industry Security Association, a statewide group created to share
information on crime among hotels. That was in addition to the Totally
Against Graffiti (TAG) team, which has attracted more than 100 volunteers
for paint-outs in such neighborhoods as McCully and Moili‘ili.
“We must continue to take an aggressive and collective approach to address
our drug and property crime issues,” Lt. Governor Aiona said. “These are the
types of crimes that destroy families and tear at the fabric of our
society.”
U.S. Attorney Kubo emphasized the importance of collaborative partnerships
between law enforcement, the community and the private sector in fighting
crime. “The Weed and Seed strategy has successfully united ‘Ewa Beach
businesses, residents, law enforcement agencies, social services and
non-profit organizations to reclaim, restore and rebuild neighborhoods in
‘Ewa,” said U.S. Attorney Kubo. “I am proud of what ‘Ewa Weed and Seed has
accomplished these past five years.”
Representative Kymberly Pine (‘Ewa Beach) recognized ‘Ewa Weed & Seed’s
achievement with a certificate from the House of
Representatives.
“The 2007 McGruff Crime Prevention Award is a direct result
of all the hard work put in by our coordinator, staff, police officers and
all the volunteers that make this program so successful in building a better
community in ‘Ewa Beach.” said Rep. Pine, the former chair of ‘Ewa
Weed & Seed for Neighborhood Restoration. “From beach and park
cleanups to active enforcement and education by the police officers, the
Weed & Seed team has been the driving force in reducing crime throughout
our community.”
Attorney General Bennett encouraged other individuals and groups to work
with law enforcement to prevent crime in their communities. “Together, we
can make a difference for the safety and well-being of everyone in Hawai‘i,”
Bennett said.
Honolulu Deputy Police Chief Tucker said community involvement has already
made an important difference in anti-graffiti efforts in the
McCully/Moili‘ili area. “Graffiti is not only an eye sore, but a crime,”
Deputy Chief Tucker said. “More people need to get involved to clean up our
communities.
Lt. Governor Aiona credited a collective effort for a reduction in “Ice” use
in the workplace, which dropped 25 percent in the third quarter of 2007 to
its lowest levels in years while continuing a steady decline. Lt. Governor
Aiona said that was based a sample of about 700 local businesses surveyed by
Diagnostic Laboratory Services, the state’s largest drug-testing
company.
The Lt. Governor also said fewer people in adult treatment centers are
identifying “Ice” as their primary drug of choice, decreasing from 50.2
percent in 2004 to 48.2 percent today, according to the Alcohol and Drug
Abuse Division of the state Department of Health.
In addition, the number of meth labs across the state has decreased from 16
in 2004 to two this year, according to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking
Area. Lt. Governor Aiona attributed the decrease, in part, to more
restrictive laws to purchase active ingredients in home-based meth
labs.
“These are all very clear signals that we’re making significant progress in
our efforts to curb “Ice” use,” Lt. Governor Aiona said.
# # #
For more information, contact:
Travis Taylor
Senior Advisor - Communications
Office of the Lt. Governor
Phone: (808) 586-0283
Valerie Mariano
Department of the Attorney General
Phone: (808) 586-1444
