Kokua Line
By June Watanabe
Thursday, January 14, 1999
Kokua Line
When is the city going to get rid of all the old police cars that are creating an eyesore between South King and Young streets? Disposal of police cars
must follow procedureThe present bunch of vehicles, most of them operable, should be gone in a couple of months, according to Honolulu Police Department spokeswoman Jean Motoyama.
That property is used to store the old blue-and-whites until the procedure, set by law, is followed to get rid of them.
The first step is to send a list of cars to the city corporation counsel's office for an official OK to get rid of the cars, as well as a release of liability, Motoyama said.
Then, other city agencies, state agencies and federal agencies -- in that order -- have a right to inspect the vehicles and drive off with them at no charge, she said.
"After they all have their shot, the city purchasing department will conduct an auction," usually once a year, she said.
Recently, an unleashed dog chased me up a wall and grabbed my pants cuff. The dog was with a young woman, who finally got it off me. But when I got off the wall, the dog attacked me again. The woman kept yelling "the dog doesn't bite," which I didn't believe. I am 72 and have serious heart trouble. I could have had a heart attack. As soon as they left, I called the police, who told me to call the Hawaiian Humane Society. But all I got was a recording to "stay on the line." After 35 minutes, I hung up. The next day, I went to the Humane Society and was given a complaint form to fill out. I'm wondering, was there anyone there receiving calls at the number I called after 7 p.m.? Why did I have to wait so long and still get no answer?
Based on your complaint, Humane Society officials met with the owners of the dog and "counseled them," said spokeswoman Eve Holt.
She said standard procedure is to let complainants know what actions have been taken, but in your case, you did not leave a contact number or address.
On the matter of being put on hold, Holt said the Humane Society does provide 24-hour service. However, during the evenings, there often is only one person on duty. On the night you called, the one person working had to take in 18 animals in a relatively short time, Holt said.
"Three of them were injured so they had to be handled and cared for immediately," she said. That's probably why no one answered you immediately.
Generally, people told to stay on hold are answered within a few minutes, Holt said.
In the early morning hours, such as at 2 or 3 a.m., the one officer on duty is often called away. In that case, a recording informs callers that no one is in the office.
If you wish to follow up, call Charles Duncan at 946-2183.
Auwe
To whoever took my son's NBA Chicago Bulls red-and-black jacket on Sunday, Jan. 3, at Signature Theatres. He forgot the jacket in theater 7 after seeing the "You Got Mail" movie, which ended at 1 p.m. My son is heartbroken, since he got the jacket as a Christmas gift. Whoever took it, please return it to the theater. Also, auwe to Signature for not caring enough to do a thorough search. -- Anonymous(Bob Zacha, Signature's general manager, said staff did check the theater after you called and did not see the jacket. The policy is to clean each auditorium after each show. Most items are put in the lost-and-found, but more valuable items, such as watches and jewelry, are kept in the office, he said.
(If there is an ID, people are called, Zacha said. After 45 to 60 days, items not claimed are taken to Goodwill.)
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
