West Coast crackdown reduces crime

Crime has been down on the West Coast for three months since deadly shootings prompted county, state and federal authorities to flood the Waianae beach with law enforcement.

Stab Death of 22-year-old Wendy’s employee After an argument with a homeless man four people shot dead The deaths, which broke out after a long-running conflict between neighbors, occurred despite increased efforts by law enforcement.

The Honolulu Police Department’s Major Incidents Division is coordinating the saturation operation in West Oahu, which began with a press conference Friday afternoon, Aug. 16, following the shootings that left two people dead.

According to the department, the division is responsible for assisting in the management of major incidents that exceed the capabilities and resources of patrol units and is also responsible for the planning, coordination and training of civil defense and homeland security operations.

Gov. Josh Green, who attended an Aug. 16 press conference with Mayor Rick Blangiardi, U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda and area lawmakers, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that his administration is committed to public safety, prosecuting those who violate the law and taking appropriate action. Responsible gun use.

“We will continue to examine and advocate for legislation that increases public protections for all communities across the state… We cannot arrest our way out of this issue. As an entire society, we must address the root causes of gun violence, starting in our homes, schools, communities, and faith-based organizations, especially those focused on youth,” Green said. It is a public safety issue as well as a health issue. Many people need universal access to drug treatment and mental illness treatment, because only someone with these problems could be part of a mass murder.

According to statistics maintained by HPD, between Oct. 10 and Nov. 5, Honolulu police patrol officers, supported by reserve units and supported by overtime allocations, made two aggravated assault arrests, two robbery arrests, two burglary arrests and three auto theft arrests. .

Officers made five weapons offenses, seven firearms, three gambling offense arrests and issued citations for 105 traffic offenses, 627 moving violations and 100 parking violations.

Other HPD elements and state law enforcement officers made 2,742 public contacts and issued 44 citations for moving or traffic violations.

Violent crime was down 4% on Oahu through Tuesday compared to the same time last year, according to HPD statistics.

There have been 909 arrests for aggravated assault so far this year, compared to 967 at this time last year. HPD officers arrested 727 people for rape, 536 for robbery and 23 for murder or negligent homicide, according to HPD’s online data dashboard.

This compares to 754 concurrent rape, 543 robbery and 22 murder arrests in 2023.

Deputies from the county sheriff’s Department and officers from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Office of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE), the federal Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Enforcement. Explosives currently assist HPD in combating all crime on District 8 patrol.

Communications and operations are synchronized and focus on everything from gun crimes to traffic enforcement to illegal game room interdiction and dismantling drug trafficking organizations.

Capt. Clifford Ramson said in an interview with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that authorities have seen a “marked decline” in violence and other crimes since law enforcement flocked to the West Side with resources and coordinated efforts.

“Obviously, there were many violent incidents leading up to the establishment of this operation. But since the start of the operation in August … we have seen a sharp decline,” Ramson said, noting that officers and their state counterparts help patrol everything from the Waianae Boat Harbor to football games to a concert at a charter school.

Dan Dennison, DLNR’s communications director, told the Star-Advertiser that DOCARE was requested by the governor and mayor to provide support and assistance in Waianae. DOCARE officers are on duty 24 hours a day at the Waianae Small Boat Harbor and are also responsible for Kaena State Park, portions of the West Coast and public hunting areas in that area.

“DOCARE has not made any arrests but stands ready to support HPD as a backup when requested,” he said.

U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors told the Star-Advertiser that her office continues to work closely with state and local law enforcement to “combat violent crime, including on the West Coast.”

“Federal law enforcement has a number of local law enforcement partners who are sworn to serve as task force officers who work directly with us (U.S. paralegals) are working on — related crimes and other federal crimes “Making all federal tools available to our state and local partners remains a top priority of this office and is reflected in the cases we bring to the federal criminal justice system,” Connors said.

Collaborative efforts between state and federal law enforcement resulted in “more than three dozen arrests, the seizure of multiple illegal firearms, and the seizure of significant quantities of illegal drugs.”

“All of those arrested now face charges in federal or state court,” Connors said.

“ATF recognizes the role firearms play in violent crimes and is pursuing an integrated regulatory and enforcement strategy to address it,” Jason R. Chudy, public information officer for ATF’s Seattle field office, told the Star-Advertiser.

DLE was awarded $800,000 in federal funds to help prevent targeted violence statewide, and data from the Gun Violence Archive reveals that Honolulu and Waianae had the most gun-related incidents in Hawaii from 2021 to 2023 .

DLE is using the grant money to develop “targeted violence prevention training for nonprofit organizations, public and private schools, and government agencies.”

DLE’s Sheriff’s Division’s Special Operations Section conducts regular searches and has made at least a half-dozen arrests for outstanding warrants since Aug. 16 and “will continue to make arrests for outstanding warrants.”

Among those arrested by the state on outstanding warrants in September was Steven A. Smith, who was wanted on a no-bail warrant for violating the terms of his parole for aggravated assault, robbery, burglary and auto theft.

DLE has established a “Gun Tip Line” where citizens can anonymously report illegal gun ownership or gun crimes by calling 808-427-4018.

DLE is planning a gun buyback day on the Leeward Coast after 514 unwanted guns were collected in exchange for 531 gift cards worth $53,100 at an event at Aloha Stadium on Aug. 24.

“DLE will continue to work with the Ministry of Education. One of our goals is to build trust in law enforcement among our youth. “Programs such as ‘Lunch with law enforcement’ are being worked on,” the statement said.

Law enforcement is also “strengthening” the DOE threat assessment team across the state and specifically in Leeward Region schools, while working with the DOE to increase safe spaces where children can go and improve after-school programs “to support the DOE.”

State Office of Health and Resiliency Director Tia Hartsock told the Star-Advertiser that state officials are partnering with elected and community leaders and other state departments on a “holistic, long-term effort to help build wellness and resilience.” Prevent violence on the Leeward Coast.

“We are grateful to partner with the Department of Education and Waianae High School on upcoming school events that provide both hands-on learning and positive connection opportunities for students and their families,” said Hartsock.

In the long term, DLE is trying to coordinate with “the state’s mobile alert system for emergencies such as mass violence.”

“These emergency communications will inform residents of both man-made (and) weather-related emergencies, from an active shooter to a tsunami,” according to a statement.

Blangiardi’s office told the Star-Advertiser that the ongoing operation involves multiple law enforcement agencies and that HPD is leading the coordination effort.

“The Mayor meets regularly with Chief (Arthur “Joe”) Logan on all HPD-related matters and receives updates on ongoing efforts. “The Mayor fully supports the collaborative efforts of city, state and federal law enforcement to address public safety concerns on Waianae Beach and appreciates the coordinated approach and resources used to ensure the safety of the community,” Scott Humber, Blangiardi’s communications director, Star-Advertiser’ he told a.