• PIO needed for KPD • Call me a pedant • Make concept a reality • Re-evaluate priorities PIO needed for KPD Since the third quarter of 2008, KPD has held request to install a Public Information Officer internal to
• PIO needed for KPD • Call me a pedant
• Make concept a reality •
Re-evaluate priorities
PIO needed for KPD
Since the third quarter of 2008, KPD has held request to install a Public Information Officer internal to the police department. This was upon the swearing in of Chief of Police Darryl Perry.
At this time, the PIO remains under the direction of the mayor. This is a bit curious when considering issues concerning public safety and crime activity being released from any mayor’s office.
PIO positions, in all US police departments, are as common as the position of chief of police. The PIO reports directly to the chief of police. Most often, required is 3-8 years police officer experience.
The PIO will respond to major crime scenes, and direct media access at these scenes. At times, public information officer teams are assigned rotating patrol schedule, making these officers accessible 24 hours a day. Public information officers are trained to protect confidential information by preventing unauthorized release, both verbal and/or written.
Deborah Morel, Kapa‘a
Call me a pedant
Our county has a helicopter. Bravo!
Now we just need a pilot, a hanger, tools to fix it, two mechanics and a boatload of jet fuel.
To maintain and fly a bird takes about a million dollars and some change a year.
So let’s look at this. We can rent birds for just over $1,000 an hour from Jim Hobbs, Inter Island, Windward, and Jack Harter.
Jack Harter alone has four birds and a staff that has run them since 1968. Do you know why do they have four birds? Because helicopters need to be serviced, inspected and maintained. Everyone in that institution knows their job and executes it with precision.
The county will have one helicopter. Here is the kicker. The county will have one bird and guaranteed it will be down for maintenance when various rescue calls come in, so they’re going to have to call somebody else and still rent one.
You do the math. Even with training of firemen we could be a half-million dollars ahead if we rented a helicopter, plus we’d have better pilots and mechanics, because the private sector pays better than the county.
I can tell you this. I had the distinct honor of meeting Mr. Harter this year. If it was my mom or aunt who needed to be rescued, I would want one of his birds coming for them.
It never ceases to amaze me how our elected leaders can throw money away. Then it never ceases to amaze me how you don’t need to pass a test to vote, cause every idiot’s vote counts the same as mine.
Call me a pedant if you like, but I went to school, and I know that Rome lasted six hundred years. We are pushing 250 and looking like we may collapse any day.
Joseph Lavery, Kapa‘a
Make concept a reality
I would like to point out that one reason for the 25-mile bike ride from Kaua‘i Lagoons through Ahukini and Kipu was to highlight the need for and relevance of extending the multi-use path along its planned route through Ahukini.
The reason the riders did not use the existing path is that there is no path there yet. A point some seem to have missed.
Also, if not used for the path the funding would not go to the roads. It would go back to the federal government and be lost to Kaua‘i.
I agree wholeheartedly that the road infrastructure is small for the number people using it, and that it is in poor maintenance in many places. For example, the road shoulder on Kuamo‘o road is overgrown with grass and debris including broken bottles so that pedestrians including schoolchildren must walk in the roadway itself along many portions of the road.
Kuhio Highway has no accommodation for pedestrians or bicyclists. I have, while bicycling home from work at KCC to Wailua Homesteads, passed a family of three on Kuhio Highway walking along the shoulder. The mother was carrying the groceries while the father carried their child, and all were being buffeted by the wind of passing cars.
You see road maintenance is not just about cars, it is about every user, including the pedestrian and bicycle commuters. We need to work together to make the Complete Streets concept a reality.
Kurt Rutter, Kapa‘a
Re-evaluate priorities
I am responding to the letter from Mr. Rosen in reference to the jail systems of Kaua‘i and the nation. These men and women have committed crimes against us and our community. In turn they must relinquish many privileges afforded the law abiding community.
Necessity: Something indispensable or necessary.
Privilege: A benefit, favor or advantage of a group.
The privileges are earned through commitment to our community. We work to support our families and to provide a service. We obey the laws so we may be safe on the roads, beaches and in our homes. We give and take with respect to the land and people of Kauai. We have earned our privileges.
I am speaking of the repeat offenders. They have lost their privileges. The crimes they have committed against the community leave scars and pain that will linger with the victims. While the criminal has learned to USE the system. Free medical, dental, drug and vision. Free legal representation.
May I end with this, our Senior Citizens. So many are having to cut corners financially. Pick and choose the drugs they can afford. Poor housing at unaffordable cost. Medical cost continually rising. The majority of these seniors have earned the privilege to affordable housing, food, medical treatment and drugs.
Mary Genegabuas, Kapa‘a
