HPD Asks for Community Support

After reading the HPD note to the public, I began to wonder what it sounds like to be on the other end of the phone when a call comes in.  Here is HPD's request for New Years's fireworks safety and reporting.  Have a safe and prosperous New Year.
Aloha,
Mo Radke, Chair, KNB

Honolulu Police Department Memo to the Public

Every holiday season, the Honolulu Police Department receives hundreds of calls regarding the illegal use of fireworks. The HPD brings in dozens of extra officers every New Year’s Eve to address the increase in calls for police service and to enforce fireworks laws. 

Many of these fireworks-related calls are not specific in location, which makes it difficult for officers to locate the violator.

Common, non-specific reports by callers include:

“There are fireworks going off on Kimo Street.”

“There are fireworks going off behind Kimo Street.”

In many cases, it can be hard to find the suspect as there are often multiple parties in the area. Providing a descriptive report gives officers a better chance of finding the illegal activity and stopping it.

If you witness illegal activity in your neighborhood, here’s an example of what you can say to better assist responding officers:

“There are aerial fireworks going off at 111 Kimo Street. There is a male wearing a Santa Claus hat, red T-shirt, and green shorts lighting aerial fireworks in the middle of the street.  He is retrieving the fireworks from the bed of a blue Chevy pickup truck, parked at the curbside with license number AAA111.”

If an address is not posted or known, provide as much information as you can to help the officers determine your location:  

“The yellow house on Kimo Street, three houses Ewa/Koko Head of Lani Street, on the mauka/makai side of the road. There are aerial fireworks that go off every five minutes or so. I am willing to meet with an officer or have him or her contact me by phone for more information.”

In order to enforce the law, officers must observe a person igniting the fireworks. Receiving descriptive reports from the public can help officers prepare a better plan of action as they respond to calls.

Thank you for your partnership; you are the eyes and ears of our community. We want to wish you and your family a safe and happy new year!