Kailua community credits hired patrol
| • | Permits dim fireworks' glare |
By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer
One O'ahu neighborhood, the Olomana community in Kailua, spent $750 for its own "police force" to curb illegal fireworks activity on New Year's Eve.
Residents reported almost complete elimination of illegal aerial fireworks and a big reduction in noise and smoke from other devices.
An off-duty police officer and two hired security guards made the rounds of the 325-home subdivision starting at 6 p.m.
The only action taken was to warn youngsters against igniting fireworks in public streets there.
A homeowner alerted by the Olomana campaign called an on-duty officer to do the same.
"A few people complained we were being too vigilante," Olomana Community Association vice president Faith Evans said, "but we got more positive reaction. Nobody wants their house to burn down like the lady (who died) in Palolo last year."
