Proposed Resolution Regarding Security at the Hawaii State Hospital

Board member Myles Yamamoto is proposing the following Resolution regarding security at the Hawaii State Hospital. The resolution will be considered at the next meeting of the board on Thursday Feb. 18 at the Kaneohe Senior Center.

RESOLUTION TO URGE THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE TO PASS LEGISLATION THAT PROVIDES FOR ADEQUETE AND PROPERLY TRAINED AND EQUIPPED SECURITY PERSONNEL AND PROTOCOLS THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL

WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Hospital houses patients who need to be kept in a secured facility for their own protection and for the safety of others; and

WHEREAS, some patients have been referred to that facility by the court system as a result of the danger posed to themselves and to others due to their psychological condition; and,

WHEREAS, the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board No. 30 is concerned that security personnel at the Hawaii State Hospital may lack the expertise and training necessary to ensure that the Hawaii State Hospital is a safe and secure facility; and

WHEREAS, recent escapes and assaults on staff have raised community concerns of the potential safety and security issues; and

WHEREAS, The Kaneohe Neighborhood Board No. 30 is committed to ensuring the safety of all residents.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board No. 30 strongly urges the Hawaii State Legislature to adopt legislation that would provide for and ensures adequate and properly trained and equipped security personnel and protocols, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Honorable Wil Espero, Chair, Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee, the Honorable David Ige, Chair Senate Health Committee, the Honorable Donna Mercado Kim, Chair Senate Ways and Mean Committee, the Honorable Jill Tokuda, Senator 24th District, the Honorable Clayton Hee, Senator 23rd District, the Honorable Pono Chong, State Representative 49th House District, the Honorable Ken Ito, State Representative 48th House District.