Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Kokua Line
Question: There is a woman directing traffic at Palama Street and Vineyard Boulevard, across from the Tesoro Gas Station. She appears to be a volunteer JPO monitor. Is this person a police officer or authorized by the city or state to enforce traffic laws? I, along with a motorist in front of me, were yelled at by her "to expect a ticket" as we made right turns from Palama onto Vineyard going west recently. Apparently, she blew a whistle from the opposite end of the crosswalk (we could not see her behind cars parallel to us in the left lane) and expected us to make a determination of what was going on. I didn't realize she was even there. Does she have any right to threaten to issue citations like a police officer? Pay attention to
crossing guardsAnswer: First, the woman does work for the Honolulu Police Department as a crossing guard, helping children to safely cross the street at a very dangerous intersection, said Sgt. Guy Yamashita, with HPD's Traffic Divisions JPO Program.
She is known to be "a very conscientious" worker, he said. However, she was wrong to yell at you about getting a ticket, he said.
JPO monitors do not have any police powers. They may take down license numbers and report them to the Traffic Division, in which case warning letters may be sent, Yamashita said. However, no citations can be issued unless an actual police officer observes an infraction.
In the monitor's defense, Yamashita explained that the intersection is a dangerous one to cross not only because it is very busy, but also because there's a freeway on-ramp nearby.
The woman is the only crossing monitor there and has to deal with cars making both left and right turns.
Yamashita said she was upset apparently because cars were turning through the crosswalk even though she had her sign up. She escorts children through the crosswalk holding up a stop sign.
If you turned while there were people in the crosswalk, you "were wrong because you were supposed to yield the right of way to pedestrians," he said. "By rights, any pedestrian in a crosswalk has the right of way" even if you had the green light.
Q: Could you please tell us where we may write to Sen. John McCain, and the title of the book he wrote?
A: McCain's address in Washington, D.C., is: 241 Russell Senate Office Building/Washington, D.C. 20510-0303; Phone: 202-224-2235; FAX: 202-228-2862. In Arizona: 1839 South Alma School Road, Suite 375/Mesa, Arizona 85210; Phone: (602) 491-4300. His email address: senator_mccain@mccain.senate.gov.
McCain's book, "Faith of My Fathers," recounts his 5 years in a Vietnamese war camp. It's published by Random House.
Mahalo
To the two young ladies who came to the aid of my parents when they had a flat tire on the freeway on April 15. Your help, along with a gentleman who stopped to fix their flat, meant that they could continue on to their doctor's appointment. May you be blessed with the same kindness that you share with others. -- A grateful daughter
Auwe
To an inconsiderate karaoke singer. Your neighbors do not appreciate you singing for one to four hours every day. You don't even sound good -- you sound like you're screaming. We cannot even enjoy relaxing at home when you sing. Think about others who do not enjoy karaoke. -- Your neighbors
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com