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POSTED: Friday, December 26, 2008

Burglaries in Central and East Honolulu have already surpassed last year's total, and police are bracing for even more cases because of the holidays and the bad economy.

               

     

 

 

BY THE NUMBERS         The following are burglary statistics for three Honolulu police districts:         CENTRAL HONOLULU         » 2008: 612 (as of Nov. 30)         » 2007: 519 total         WAIKIKI         » 2008: 372 (as of Nov. 30)         >> 2007: 446 total         EAST HONOLULU         » 2008: 956 (as of Nov. 30)         » 2007: 857 total         Source: Honolulu Police Department

Police and business officials are also worried about an increase in office break-ins. Throughout the fall and winter, more than 20 office burglaries were reported. They began in Waikiki, but there have been 14 in the past two months in the downtown area.

Honolulu Police Department burglary statistics for three of its eight districts on Oahu show that:

» In Central Honolulu (downtown to Punahou), there were 612 burglaries as of Nov. 30 compared with 519 total last year.

» In East Honolulu (Punahou to Hawaii Kai), there were 956 burglaries as of Nov. 30 compared with 857 total last year.

» In Waikiki the total is down from last year. As of Nov. 30 there were 372 burglaries compared with 446 total last year.

“;We've been able to knock down Waikiki's crime rate, but it's the big picture we're looking at,”; said Detective David Chong, a 24-year police veteran who has investigated Waikiki burglaries for eight years.

That office break-in figure was reported by security firm Securitas Inc., which counts hundreds of buildings among its clients. A Securitas official declined to provide specifics regarding each incident.

“;There's sort of a perfect storm being created right now, with the downturn of the economy as well as the holiday season,”; said Cecily Ann Ching, Building Owner and Managers Association president and general manager of the Davies Pacific Center. “;What this really has shown is maybe historically what has been in effect for security needs to be stepped up.”;

In Central Honolulu there have been 174 “;nonresidential”; or commercial burglaries this year; in Waikiki, 72; and in East Honolulu, 147. Separate statistics for commercial and office building break-ins were not available.

Ching said various property owners have told her the suspects break in at various times, and the property stolen is never anything of great value. Most of what has been stolen is small amounts of cash, blank checks and some electronics like music players and laptops.

Some money was taken Nov. 20 from a furniture store in the building she manages.

Last month four offices on the ninth floor of the American Savings Bank tower were burglarized, including the state Ethics Commission office. In that burglary, only small amounts of money and food were taken.

But it isn't what is being taken that worries building officials, it's how the thieves break in, and how often.

“;This time of year has always become an active time for walk-in thefts into offices, but what's been experienced more recently is beyond that,”; said Dennis Gillum, owner of Horizon Properties LLC. “;Typically in previous years you wouldn't even hear about cases because they were only walk-in thefts.”;

BOMA officials declined to specify whom they believe to be suspects and how they believe entry is made.

State Ethics Commission Director Daniel Mollway said there was no forced entry into his workplace earlier this month and that the burglars might have a device that is able to open doors easily. He also said that small straws appeared to have been lodged in locks to keep them open.

The Police Department's Chong declined to identify the device, due to ongoing investigations.

“;It is a manufactured device, however, and usually sold only to security companies and locksmiths,”; he said. He added that police have determined two methods of operation for the recent burglaries.

Chong said combating this device is as easy as changing door handles. He met with BOMA officials this month to offer them advice. Chong said all residents should be mindful of their home or office security.

“;Any time you have the (bad) economy, plus drugs, we're always concerned,”; Chong said. “;That's why we are working with groups like BOMA, to attack these problems.”;

TIPS FOR PROPERTY MANAGERS

» Adjust the number of security personnel at particular times of the day and night.

» Make sure security patrols include checking and securing all doors, like fire exits, tenant suites and restroom doors.

» Make sure security personnel inspect all vacant spaces and stairwells as part of their rounds.

» Include all building personnel - maintenance, janitorial, parking, security, landscaping, elevator and other contractors - as other sets of eyes and ears, and encourage them to greet people who might be unfamiliar to them.

» Enforce building policies that require sign-in of authorized contractors and delivery personnel. Contractors and service vendors should also be uniformed and wear some sort of identification.

» Check to see that stairwell, restroom and other door strikes are not obstructed and not propped open.

» Adjust the number of cameras or positioning of existing cameras to optimize surveillance.

» Control elevator access after normal business hours.

» Retrofit doors with new hardware.

TIPS FOR OFFICE TENANTS

» Know your work area and pay special attention to areas with poor or flickering lighting.

» Never prop doors open, and do not hold the door open for strangers after normal business hours.

» Report evidence of blocked stairwell door latches.

» Ask strangers who are in the building or an office who they are visiting and whether you can help them find that person, but do not permit them inside.

» Be aware of people posing as solicitors or fundraising groups who could be scouting your office.

» Always lock the door, even if you are leaving for just a moment.

» Make sure your computer is password protected, and keep a record of your valuables stored in a safe place.

» When working after hours, lock yourself in the office, let someone know where you are and ask building security to check on you periodically.