HILO >> Big Island Mayor Harry Kim is seeking $836,000 from the Hawaii County Council for two police teams dedicated to fighting crystal methamphetamine, or "ice." Big Isle mayor seeks funds
By Rod Thompson
for special ‘ice’ teams
rthompson@starbulletin.comThe money would also be used to put more patrol officers in rural communities.
Police Chief Lawrence Mahuna said the three-member "Ice Teams" are needed because ice usage continues to grow. He noted Tuesday's shooting death of Honolulu Officer Glen Gaspar allegedly took place at the hands of a suspect thought to have been under the influence of ice.
On the Big Island a suspect recently climbed the exterior of a hotel building, crashed through windows and took a hostage before finally surrendering. He was found in possession of syringes and other drug paraphernalia, although the specific drug was not identified, Mahuna said.
From 55 in 1997, ice arrests on the Big Island more than quadrupled to 292 in 2000, Mahuna said. The figures fell to 233 ice arrests in 2001 and 136 in 2002, he said. But police know ice use is increasing, and declining arrests just show police have not been able to make cases, he said.
The officers assigned to Ice Teams would also investigate other hard drugs, Mahuna said. The teams would especially seek to catch leaders in the distribution system, he said. Ice is more dangerous than other drugs because it causes extensive brain damage and is associated with violence, he said.
Like other police departments, Big Island police have a vice section that investigates drug crimes, but that unit also has to handle other crimes such as gambling and prostitution.
Kim's request was presented in his $218.7 million budget proposal submitted recently to the County Council. The proposal is 6.5 percent larger than present $205.4 million budget.
The proposed funding would allow the Police Department to contract guards to provide security at police holding cells where suspects are detained before being taken to court.
That would free up 14 police positions now assigned to guard duty. Of those, three in Hilo and three in Kona would be assigned to Ice Teams.
The Puna and Waimea areas would each receive three more patrol officers, and Kau would receive two more.
County of Hawaii
