Posted on: Friday, February 15, 2002

Security eases into background at city sites

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Visible security measures following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have been eased at some city buildings and utilities, including the Honolulu Police Department, and have been replaced by other security measures, such as surveillance cameras.

While security remains a priority in the city, Honolulu Assistant Chief Boisse Correa said police are trying to balance appropriate security with threat levels.

"Security is not being lessened — it's just being done differently," Correa said. "At times we will be visible. Other times we will not. It depends on what's happening and what strategies we're using."

In some of the security changes, HPD no longer has an officer checking IDs for motorists entering the underground parking garage at main headquarters, and sign-ins are no longer required for entry into Honolulu Hale.

Guards still patrol Honolulu Hale and the city's sewage treatment facilities, and surveillance cameras watch the Board of Water Supply, said city spokeswoman Carol Costa.

Costa said sign-ins are still required at the city's Municipal Building because vital operations such as O'ahu Civil Defense and fire communications are housed there.

"Since 9/11, we're changing the way we do business," Correa said. "I don't think we'll ever get back to normal. The world is becoming a dangerous place. But we're lucky. We're a little isolated and a little insulated. But we have a lot of viable infrastructures. We have to be vigilant and not let our guard down."

Correa said appropriate security measures in Honolulu still remain since Monday's FBI alert on terrorism, warning that a Yemeni man and his associates may be planning attacks in the United States or against U.S. targets in Yemen this week. Earlier, Correa said HPD would let the community know if there was a specific attack in Honolulu.