Despite slumping economy,
Oahu crime down so far in ’98

In the first two months of the year,
homicides showed the only increase

By Jaymes K. Song
Star-Bulletin

Although police and experts expected to see an increase in crime because of the sliding economy, rates on Oahu so far this year are significantly lower than last year.

Law enforcement experts believe a slumping economy adds stress to the home and possibly could lead to alcohol or drug abuse, and then crime.

But for the first two months of 1998, almost every major crime category is down compared with the first two months of 1997.

Homicides are the exception, with six cases this year and five cases last year, according to the latest statistics released by the Honolulu Police Department.

Robbery and aggravated assaults have posted the greatest drops, showing 27.7 percent and 20.9 percent declines respectively in the first two months.

"The decrease can be attributed to ongoing partnerships and a close working relationship between HPD and community groups, other law enforcement agencies and prevention programs such as DARE and the Coalition for a Drug Free America," said Chief Lee Donohue.

Robbery detectives attribute the decline to stiffer prosecution and increased enforcement.

Crime on Oahu also was down for February 1998 compared with the month before.

Violent crime decreased 17.6 percent in February and property crimes 5.6 percent.

Increases were reported in rape, from 18 to 24 cases, and auto thefts, which went from 422 to 456 cases.

Although crime is down overall, the department's Criminal Investigation Division reports a growing number of "road rage" incidents on the island and increased gang activity in the Kaimuki and Kapiolani areas in the past five months.

"It's getting kind of hot and heavy," said Lt. Bill Kato of the gang detail. "We usually don't get a lot of these cases in (the East Honolulu district). But two gangs are real active right now."

Kato said the gangs usually target other gang members and not people at random.

Angry and impatient motorists have contributed to the growing number of road rage cases not only on Oahu, but nationwide.

Road rage nationally was responsible for 218 deaths and 12,000 injuries from January 1990 to August 1996, according to a report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Police have seen motorists confronting each other for everything from being cut off to someone giving a "stink eye."

Local laws involving a suspect reaching in or entering another person's vehicle are much tougher than on the mainland.

A person who reaches into someone else's vehicle to steal, or attempt to hurt people or damage property, faces a felony charge of "unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle" instead of a misdemeanor assault charge, police said.