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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, August 20, 2002

Officials to discuss Waikiki crime

By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer

Recent crime statistics that show an increase in thefts in the Waikiki and Ala Moana areas and the killing of a man walking along the Ala Wai Canal in June have heightened concerns about safety.

A public meeting to discuss crime and what residents can do to protect themselves will be held 6:30 p.m. today at the Hawai'i Convention Center, Room 320.

The meeting was organized by state Rep. Galen Fox R-21st (Waikiki, Ala Wai) and will include talks by city Prosecutor Peter Carlisle, Honolulu Police Maj. Thomas Nitta and Mark Chandler with the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"The general issue of concern is that the crime rate is going back up after falling for several years," Fox said. "What's going up is property crime. We always worry about violent crime, but if you've been a victim of property crime it is a disturbing violation."

Larceny/theft cases in Waikiki rose 13 percent from 2000 to 2001, according to police statistics released in June. There were 4,888 reports of larceny/theft last year, compared with 4,235 reports in 2000.

In the police beat that includes Ala Moana Beach Park, thefts were up about 11 percent, from 360 in 2000 to 405 in 2001.

Overall, crime in Hawai'i is increasing after four years of decline between 1995 and 1999, when statistics showed a 33 percent decrease statewide.

Nitta will talk about why crime statistics are up and give residents advice on not becoming victims.

"Property crimes are going up, but when you consider we had an all-time high in 1994 and all-time lows in 1997, 1998, even though we are up now it is still below what it was in 1994," Nitta said.

Fox said he received many calls from residents worried about crime after freelance writer Jack Wyatt was fatally attacked while walking along the Ala Wai Canal. His alleged attacker, Cline Kahue, has been charged with one count of second-degree murder.

Jim Fulton, public affairs director for the prosecuting attorney, said since state law has allowed the prosecutor to restrict prostitutes from returning to Waikiki after being arrested, the number of reports has dropped from between 600 and 700 in 1996 to 161 last year. This year, the geographic restrictions are being used against anyone convicted of committing a crime against tourists, so he expects the number of thefts to drop.

Fox said the number of homeless people in Waikiki also will be discussed at the meeting.

A survey of the homeless in Ala Moana Beach Park conducted in September 2001 estimated their number at between 80 and 100. Since the city began to enforce regulations downtown, in such areas as A'ala Park and Fort Street Mall, that estimate has reached 150. The increasing homeless population in the park raised concerns after a man was found dead at the park in April.

Chandler said he will talk about what HUD offers the city and state in homeless programs.

Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.