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Police say
they should
handle arrests

Question: After a lifetime of hearing about so-called "citizen's arrest," I sought an explanation of exactly what constitutes such and how it's legally applied. I was told by the officer in charge at the entrance to the main Honolulu Police Department station that there is no such thing and that only police and some security personnel have the legal right to apprehend and hold/arrest someone caught in the act of illegal activity. Can you verify this strange "fact" for us, please? If there indeed is such a thing, what are the proper procedures in such an instance?

Answer: There is such a thing as a "citizen's arrest," allowed to varying degrees in different jurisdictions.

In Hawaii, state law allows it in the most succinct and general of terms: "Anyone in the act of committing a crime may be arrested by any person present without a warrant" (Section 803-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes).

But while the law is there, it is not something law enforcement officials encourage ordinary citizens to do, said Capt. Frank Fujii, spokesman for the Honolulu Police Department.

"We don't advocate that" (a citizen's arrest), not just because of the potential danger in confronting someone committing a crime, but also because "police officers go through extensive training to learn about the probable cause that's needed to affect an arrest," he said.

As for the danger, "In this day and age, you don't know if someone is on drugs or may be armed," he said.

Fujii says "the better way" to handle the situation if you see someone committing a crime is to call police and be a witness.

"We want people to be involved, but we want them to be safe," he said. "It's not worth it to effect a citizen's arrest and get hurt for it."

Q: I was trying to find the contact number for a local company that sells things for you on eBay. It's called Wesellthings4u. Do you have the number?

A: Call Wesellthings4u at 589-1102 or check the Web site wesellthings4u.com.

The company is at 839 Queen St.

It's one of three companies that began last year on Oahu, offering to sell items on consignment for customers on the eBay site.

One is another locally based company called AuctionTURN, at 1551 S. Beretania St. (call 946-8876 or check the Web site www.auctionturn.com).

The other is AuctionDrop, a national company that has a partnership with UPS Stores (call 800-DROP-IT-OFF or check the Web site www.auctiondrop.com to find a local store).

Mahalo

To all the high school bands that livened up our Kamehameha Day parades. We thank you for all your time, money and effort into brightening up our parades with your colors and your beautiful music. -- Linda K.

Auwe

To people who have wind chimes in their yard without thinking how that can drive the neighbors crazy day and night. They are not even home during the day. It definitely is not music to our ears. -- No Name

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