Crime at Kailua park sparks call for cameras

Police are requesting funds and community input for the devices after 19 car break-ins

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Due to a high number of car break-ins, police are looking at the possibility of installing surveillance cameras at Kailua Beach Park as a deterrent to thieves.

The department first will ask for grants to conduct a feasibility study and for suggestions from the public.

Similar camera systems are in place in Waikiki, Chinatown, the Pali Lookout and Ehukai Beach Park on the North Shore.

There have been 19 break-ins at Kailua Beach Park so far this year, compared with 16 at Sandy Beach.

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Police are considering placing surveillance cameras at Kailua Beach Park, citing a high number of car break-ins and other thefts.

But before it moves forward with the plan, the Honolulu Police Department is seeking grants to fund a feasibility study for a surveillance camera system at the Windward park.

"We're putting it out there that we're thinking about it, and we want to see what kind of response we get," said Kailua Lt. Dave Eber. "We noticed there's a problem with a lot of cars getting broken into there."

So far this year, there have been 19 car break-ins, a number consistent with past years. In comparison, larger areas like Makapuu Beach and Sandy Beach have had 15 and 16 car break-ins so far this year.

Eber said the cameras could be a visible deterrent for further break-ins and property thefts.

"Even though it's a smaller park than Makapuu and Sandy's, we have more break-ins anyway," Eber said. "So we really want input from the public on this."

Safety and tourism officials cite surveillance cameras in Waikiki and Chinatown as the reason for less crime in those areas. Cameras are also set up at the Pali Lookout and Ehukai Beach Park on the North Shore.

In 1998 the city spent about $500,000 to install the cameras in Chinatown and Waikiki. The Chinatown cameras went through maintenance problems in 2001 when the substation moved from Nuuanu Avenue to Hotel Street.

Part of the feasibility study will examine what equipment will be used and who will monitor the cameras. A private security company currently monitors the Waikiki and downtown cameras.

"If the community decides that they're for the cameras, we'll start researching on how the infrastructure will be placed and where to put the cameras," Eber said.

The Kailua Neighborhood Board applauded the department last Thursday and voted for a resolution to support the study.

"The main reaction from the community was, 'Good for you guys,'" said board Chairwoman Kathy Bryant-Hunter. "It's one of the high crime areas for car break-ins. It's a chronic problem."

Bryant-Hunter said the Police Department has been trying its best in deterring crime, but some staffing issues have limited the department's ability.

"We applaud them for trying to be proactive," she said. "Oftentimes the Police Department gets pretty hard knocks for being reactive, but with this, most people are really pleased they are trying to find a solution."