By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
Volunteers, from left, George Williams, Ron Valenciana
and Rene Mansho give tourists hints on how
to protect their valuables.

"We usually leave after we eat, but today, we're going to the beach," said Benavidez, a Mililani resident. "I just feel more at ease with them here."

The North Shore "Aloha Patrol" made its debut Friday, and the eight volunteers overseeing the parking lot area were praised for their efforts by beach-goers.

"You just didn't have a sense of security that no one was tamper-

ing with your car until now," Benavidez said. "I was shocked to see them here. It makes a difference."

From September 1996 to January 1997, police investigated 347 theft-from-vehicle cases from Sunset Beach to Haleiwa, Wahiawa police Capt. Darryl Perry said. By comparison, 220 cases were reported from Makapuu Point to Waimanalo Beach Park during the same period.

Perry said it's interesting to note that when numbers dropped in one area, they rose somewhere else. For example, there were 78 thefts in September and 122 in October at the North Shore beaches, while the September numbers were higher (62 cases) than October figures (48) at Waimanalo.

"It's like when (you) spray insecticide in one place, the roaches run somewhere else," Perry said.

According to police statistics, 16,352 reports of theft from vehicles in 1995 resulted in losses of more than $10.6 million.

Crime has had an economic impact on the North Shore, says Aloha Patrol volunteer Eve White.

"If we can help to bring crime down (by providing police with extra eyes and ears), I think it'll help North Shore businesses who depend on people coming out here," White said.

The volunteers stand out in their dark blue T-shirts.

"We're also here trying to assist visitors by answering questions or providing information," she said.

Craig Spletzer of Cincinnati received a security tip from one volunteer. "She told me thieves like to see people with luggage in their car, so I'll know better the next time," Spletzer said.

"We brought the luggage with us because we're going straight to the airport from here.

"But it's nice to have someone taking the time to explain that to us," Spletzer said. "We had a good time here and we'll be back."

On another day, without the volunteer patrol keeping an eye on the parking lot, a thief might have spoiled Spletzer's vacation.

"I'm stoked, this is great," police officer William Prindle said of the patrol. "It's a deterrent (to criminal activity) if they know people are watching."

Councilmember Rene Mansho says the patrol is modeled after Waikiki's Aloha Patrol.

"We wear the same Spam-colored shirts as Waikiki so visitors coming here recognize the Aloha Patrol," she said. "Our goal is to support visitors and at the same time, try to prevent crime."

At the end of each day, each volunteer will fill out a report to be faxed to police.

Waimea Falls Park and Honolulu Cellular are providing services to the Aloha Patrol.

"There's been so much bad publicity so I'm happy to see them here," said Stephan Jeremiah, a Pupukea resident.

As the volunteer numbers grow, patrols will be expanded to other North Shore beaches. Thieves have been active lately at Ehukai and Sunset Beach, Prindle said.

Anyone wishing to volunteer for the North Shore Aloha Patrol should call Helen Zeldes (637-1505) or Mansho (547-7001).

By early March, two Wahiawa police officers on bicycles will also be assigned to Waimea Beach Park, Perry said.