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Police money
transfer for riot
geat approved

The money comes from
police salary fund to cover the
Asian Bank conference in May

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By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Star-Bulletin

The City Council budget committee is approving a rush transfer of $750,000 from the police salaries account to buy anti-riot and other equipment for the Asian Development Bank conference to be held in May.

Federal, state and city officials are anticipating disruptive demonstrations at the conference, which is expected to draw more than 3,500 people, including President George W. Bush and finance ministers from around the world.

Honolulu police Maj. Paul Putzulu told the committee that state officials have made verbal assurances they will reimburse the city at least $517,000 of the money.

He declined to say exactly what items are being purchased, citing security reasons. Police previously said it will cost between $6 million and $7 million to meet security and traffic concerns associated with the conference.

Asked specifically where the money will come from, Putzulu said some would be taken from salaries for positions that have not been filled, but for "the rest, we'll work out the details."

Council members today wanted assurances that the removal of funds from the salary account, if even for a short period, would not jeopardize other police operations. "Are we compromising public safety? I'm sure we'll be doing our best not to compromise that," Putzulu said.

Councilman John DeSoto said, "My concern is when you come out and say 'this might, and it could, but we'll try not to,' (I) don't want to hear that.

"First and foremost, before any conference, is the protection of the people of the City and County of Honolulu," he said.

Council members also said that either the state or city should have anticipated the expenses earlier, since Honolulu was announced as the conference site last May.

"This concerns me a great deal," said Councilman Duke Bainum, who noted that the state has promised reimbursement money for police expenses in the past without following through.

The Council is being asked to approve an intergovernmental agreement to allow acceptance of any reimbursement from the state.