Oahu major
crimes drop
11.2% in ’98

Mayor Harris credits citizen
patrols and neighborhood watches
for helping fight crime

By Susan Kreifels
Star-Bulletin

Ninety-year-old Rebecca Chun has made a name for herself "running down" tourists at Waimanalo Beach to give them crime-prevention brochures.

She's part of an "auntie" beach brigade that helped squash theft from cars there last year. Armed with cellular phones, a keen recognition of Waimanalo faces and love for their neighborhood, Chun and 10 other senior citizens in the Waimanalo Citizens Patrol take turns on the beach keeping an eye out for criminals.

"The kids grew up in Waimanalo, and we know who they are," said patroller Margaret Pekelo. "We know who comes out of jail and we watch out for that person."

The volunteers were among those thanked yesterday by Mayor Jeremy Harris as he announced an 11.2 percent decrease in major crimes on Oahu last year.

Major crimes have decreased 29.3 percent over a three-year period.

Homicides in 1998 were the lowest since 1967, and also the lowest among major U.S. cities. Last year there were 17 killings, down from 35 in 1994.

Honolulu Police Chief Lee Donohue said one reason for fewer homicides: more officers assigned to domestic violence.

Other reasons for lower crime: cameras monitoring Waikiki streets, increased drug enforcement, and help from neighborhood security watches and citizen patrols.

"Pulling together, we can have tremendous results," Donohue said.

Harris said he requested $7.8 million more in next year's police budget for new police stations and more recruitment classes.

No money will be earmarked for salary increases, but Harris said a management team is working to improve the overall police package to "make it attractive enough to keep officers."

Low salaries have led police here to take new jobs on the mainland.

At yesterday's news conference, other citizen patrols also described their successes.