KILAUEA — Unsuspecting business and homeowners are having to take extra precaution to protect themselves against rising property crime. Tom Pickett, owner of Kilauea Bakery, recently decided to invest in a video surveillance system after his business was broken into
KILAUEA — Unsuspecting business and homeowners are having to take extra precaution to protect themselves against rising property crime.
Tom Pickett, owner of Kilauea Bakery, recently decided to invest in a video surveillance system after his business was broken into two weeks before Christmas.
He said his safe was stolen, literally, from right under his feet, as the burglar cut a hole into the floor of the bakery late one night.
“It was a very loud, stormy night, so no one heard our alarms,” Pickett said in an interview Sunday. “They crawled underneath the building and used construction equipment to cut through, came inside, popped the safe through the floor and walked out with it.”
To make matters worse, two weeks later, while busy baking treats for holiday shoppers early Christmas Eve morning, someone stole an employee’s motorscooter parked right outside.
But the third time was the charm. At 11:23 p.m., March 11, Kilauea Bakery was faced with yet another attempted theft, but the difference this time was the surveillance system coupled with upgraded lighting and alarm detectors, which caught the perpetrator in action.
“After my conversation with the detectives at KPD, I thought that the more we can do and the more we can help the police department, the better,” Pickett said. “I don’t fault the police, they have been more helpful than ever, but their means and resources are limited so we’re doing what we can.”
He acquired an upgraded system from A & B Audio and Video and barely had enough time to install the new set-up when the attempted burglary occurred.
“I was encouraged when the police complimented me on the quality of our surveillance videos and said it would help them a great deal,” Pickett said. “I would recommend other business owners to do this. … Property crime is larger than we think.”
Although Pickett has no way of knowing for sure, he believes the crimes were committed by three separate individuals. KPD has been unable to find any of the suspects.
Adam Orens, owner of A & B Audio and Video, said he has noticed the increasing trend in property crime on the island and agrees that it’s something people need to be more cautious about.
“I hate to see people being taken advantage of,” he said.
Orens suggests everyone make sure they take better care of protecting their property, including installing motion sensor lighting and locking doors. He adds that if people own a business or even if they wish to step up security on their property, they can always consider alarm systems and video surveillance.
Pickett also advises individuals to become more involved in Neighborhood Watch programs which KPD Lt. Michael Contrades supports.
“With the economy being the way it is, we are concerned for an increase in crime and unauthorized vehicular break-ins,” Contrades said. “It’s important that the police department and community work together collaboratively to deal with crime and crime prevention.”
While crime may be on the rise, Contrades advises residents to not live in fear, but to simply take precautions.
“You can’t look over your shoulder all the time, you have to enjoy life; just be safe,” he said. “Taking basic precautions like locking doors can make a tremendous difference.”
Contrades is currently working on a case where a group of individuals have been targeting unlocked vehicles on the North Shore. They reportedly move from one car to the next until they find one which has not been securely locked and proceed to take its contents.
“We really want to promote the Neighborhood Watch program and get people involved,” he said.
KPD has material they are prepared to supply to neighborhoods and businesses who wish to participate in the program and are ready to help train for becoming better witnesses.
“Regardless of what the current crime trends on the island are, Hawai‘i is still one of the safest places to live,” Contrades added.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2006, Hawai‘i was the 14th state, tied with Connecticut, in terms of the least number of violent crimes occurring that year in America. On the other hand, Hawai‘i had the fourth largest number of property crimes of all 50 states the same year, including burglary, theft and unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle. Only Arizona, the District of Columbia and Washington were higher.
Current statistics for the county could not be obtained by press time. Messages left for KPD Lt. Carl Oliver and county spokesperson Mary Daubert were not returned.
For more information on how to start a Neighborhood Watch Group, contact Contrades (Kapa‘a to Ha‘ena) at 241-1635, Lt. Sherwin Perez (Kapa‘a to Puhi) at 241-1711 or Lt. Danilo Abadilla (Koloa to Kekaha) at 338-1831.
To watch the video surveillance of the March 11 attempted burglary at Kilauea Bakery, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3c5FEvGDpM
Also visit thegardenisland.com for tips on how to prevent property crime at a residence or business.
• Coco Zickos, business writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or czickos@kauaipubco.com
