Meeting will discuss
South Maui crime battle
KIHEI, Maui >> The Maui County prosecutor's office is talking to residents about priorities in fighting crime in South Maui.
"Some time in March, we'll assemble all the data and pick two or three crime (categories) areas to work on," Prosecutor Davelynn Tengan said.
Deputy Prosecutor Jerrie Sheppard, who has been assigned to the new Kihei community prosecutor's office, will speak about some of the goals of the office during a Kihei Community Association meeting at the Kihei Aquatic Center starting 6 p.m. Tuesday.
The community prosecutor's office, temporarily located between Kamaole Beach Park II and III, was established on Dec. 1.
Tengan said one of the goals is to form a partnership with residents to drive crime from the community.
She said the special position was established through a $72,000 federal grant, along with 25 percent matching county funds.
Tengan said Sheppard has been meeting with people and gathering information to identify crime-related and quality-of-life issues.
South Maui, stretching about 14 miles from Maalaea to La Perouse Bay, is one of the fastest-growing communities in the state, with an estimated resident population of 23,500.
Some crimes that have been increasing include thefts from cars and drug-related activity, said police Lt. Hamilton Rodrigues, of the Kihei police substation.
