Newswatch
Mayoral candidate Arnold Morgado makes a point as incumbent Jeremy Harris listens during last night's televised debate.
Photo by Kathryn Bender, Star-Bulletin
Last night, Harris called Morgado the candidate of big government, red tape and "gobbledygook." Morgado denied it, claiming that's never been his approach.
Morgado cited a rising crime rate, a dearth of police officers and a lack of accountability in city government during the past two years and claimed it's time for "basic and fundamental change."
But Harris pointed to a drop in the overall crime rate on Oahu, a $7 million increase in the Honolulu Police Department's budget and several "streamlining" initiatives including a balanced budget without a reduction of services or a raise in property tax rates.
During the hour-long televised debate, Morgado accused Harris of falling short in his commitment to public safety, noting the police force is 300 positions short. He linked the the shortage to increased violent crimes and prostitution in Waikiki.
"We've given the Police Department all the money they need to hire and train all the recruits their academy can produce," countered Harris. He said the crime rate fell nearly 10 percent during the first eight months of the year and argued that more prison space, prevention programs and curbing a "revolving door" justice system are keys to reducing crime.
Morgado raised $227,551 from Sept. 7-21, $51,725 more than Harris, reports filed yesterday with the state Campaign Spending Commission show. The other challenger in the mayor's race, Frank Fasi, did not raise any money during the waning days of the primary campaign.
Harris outspent Morgado by $23,030, racking up $239,208 in campaign spending bills for the reporting period. But Morgado overall has spent $1.04 million in a bid to unseat Harris, who has spent $905,114. Harris failed to win the election outright by 1,415 votes. He faces Morgado in a runoff in the general election Nov. 5.
Fasi, who spent $140,207 in the latest reporting period, ended up shelling out $893,519.
The woman, 53, and her son were walking from the parking lot to the lobby of their building at 1800 Punahou when a man got out of a Honda and tried to grab her purse. The son began struggling with the suspect, and another man also in the Honda jumped in. The two suspects fled empty-handed in the car that was later found abandoned on Keeaumoku Street and Moku Place in Makiki, police said.
The car was stolen, police said.
Bail for Christina Jaramillo, of Linapuni Street, is $15,000.
A Hanauna Street man and his girlfriend returned home Saturday to find their home had been broken into. An acquaintance later told them he believed he knew who did it. The couple located the suspect wearing a dress and jewelry belonging to the victim's girlfriend.
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