HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Amid the crowds walking in Waikiki, an effort in underway to build a crime-fighting army.
HPD is relaunching its Waikiki Citizen Patrols this Saturday in hopes of getting more residents and businesses engaged in public safety.
And officers have a new partner to help.
“We want to get that citizen, that community, feel back where we’re all working together,” said Major James Slayter, HPD District 6 commander.
Slayter recruited the help of nonprofit Waikiki Business Improvement District Association (WBID) — known for its Aloha Ambassadors in bright yellow shirts who assist tourists and keep areas clean.
Weekly citizen patrols never stopped but Slayter said participation had dropped down to two residents. He said the new patrols will be scheduled to accommodate more volunteers and patrol routes will rotate to incorporate more residential streets, not just Kalakaua Avenue.
WBID said it’s stepping up to help offset a pervasive police shortage.
“I think what we do need to see is more police officers on the street,” said Trevor Abarzua, WBID president and executive director. “Here in Waikiki, we have 30 less officers than we did pre-COVID.”
“So we’re trying to supplement that with more safety ambassadors and aloha ambassadors. But again, it’s a big problem, and we need to have more officers in uniform and on the street,” he added.
Abarzua said WBID also has a medical doctor and social worker who address homelessness, mental illness and addiction.
In July, it launched a one year pilot program that provides 24/7 coverage of Waikiki Beach with staff who’ve lived on the streets.
“We have two safety ambassadors that go out and help clear the beach when the park is closed, and then we have one outreach ambassador that helps with people that are homeless, people that are severely mentally ill,” he said.
Slayter said overall crime is down over the past two years due to the Safe and Sound Program, but there’s been spikes in certain categories like theft and property crimes.
This Saturday, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and other leaders will join the citizens patrol relaunch at 9 a.m. in the grassy area next to the parking lot at the corner of Monsarrat Avenue and Paki Avenue.
The goal is to educate and empower residents and businesses, and familiarize young officers with the people they serve.
“They do actually play a part in crime reduction and what we can do to make Waikiki better,” Slayter said. “I’ll take an army, alright, the more the merrier.”
That will take time to build — for now this is a step in the right direction.
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