Honolulu police say they favor instituting a 311 nonemergency telephone number to free the existing 911 system for true emergencies. HPD favors 311 line
to relieve 911 burdenThe number would be used for
people to call in nonemergenciesBy Gordon Y.K. Pang
gpang@starbulletin.comPolice Communications Maj. Kenneth Simmons told members of the City Council Executive Matters Committee that the number of 911 calls has increased annually for several years and now totals more than 1 million annually. He said it is not uncommon for 911 callers to be put on hold.
HPD statistics show that of the 95,065 total calls logged in July, 64,594 calls, or about 68 percent, asked for police.
Of those, 43,939 calls, or 68 percent, were for nonemergencies as minor as barking-dog complaints and parking violations.
Lt. Charles Chong said it would cost anywhere from $1 million to $5 million to install the hardware for the program. The department has yet to determine operational costs, he said, noting that some 911 operators may be transferred to the program.
A Council resolution authored by John Henry Felix, Darrlyn Bunda and John DeSoto calls on agencies to work toward establishing a 311 system and asks the state Legislature to permit surcharges on telephone bills to defray costs.
Currently, telephone ratepayers are assessed 27 cents a month for operating the 911 system, but the money goes to alleviating the telephone company's share only.
Police said they are hoping to receive proceeds for police operations. They also said they want to see the surcharge assessed not just on land lines, as is the policy with 911, but on cellular lines as well.
Several Council members said the city should proceed with implementing 311 even without a surcharge.
A number of mainland cities already have a 311 system in place, starting with Baltimore in 1996. Those calling 311 in some cities like Chicago can report not only police nonemergencies, but also potholes, fallen trees and nonworking traffic signals.
Honolulu Police Department City & County of Honolulu
