Posted on: Friday, January 18, 2002

Boat-ramp patrol launches

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

KAILUA — A citizens' group will patrol the Kailua Beach Park boat ramp beginning tonight in an effort to reduce illegal activities and avoid a proposal to lock up the parking lot that provides access to the ramp.

Rowdy behavior has generated about 10 calls weekly to police, according to authorities. The complaints include drinking, loud music and fights, which has led to a proposal to install a chain or gate across the parking lot at the Lanikai end of the park.

The measure had the support of the nearby neighbors and police, but fishermen objected because they want to use the ramp at night and early morning.

On Monday, fishermen, boat-ramp neighbors and police formed a patrol that will focus its attention on the ramp's parking lot and its surrounding area. If problems move from the ramp in to the park, the patrol could expand its scope, said Bryan Amona, patrol coordinator.

Amona, 48, a city employee and tae kwon do instructor, said he expects the patrols to be successful.

"Once the word gets out that there's a citizen patrol, they're not going to come here," Amona said.

He expects 10 to 15 volunteers to show up at 10 p.m., rain or shine, he said. The group will be issued yellow T-shirts and cell phones by the Honolulu Police Department, which coordinates citizen patrol groups through its District Resources Unit.

Amona said he'll work with the area's residents to determine how often the patrol will operate, but he expects to be out at least on Friday and Saturday nights.

The volunteers will use discretion and not bother people who are not disturbing the peace or engaging in illegal activities, Amona said, adding that police promised to back up the group.

"We need to go there and show force but not necessarily physical force," he said. "We'll just let them know we're going to call. Now once we call we want to see what kind of response we're going to get from the police."

Lynn Ranta, who lives across the street from the boat ramp, said she and her husband have volunteered. Neighbors had wanted the area gated because police were unable to stop the noisy and illegal activities there, Ranta said.

"We are all willing to give it a shot and see how this goes because we too want to enjoy the beach and not have to worry about taking kids fishing at night and getting mugged or killed," she said.

Although the patrols are made up of volunteers, the police will escort this new group on its first night out, said officer Herb Lau, with the District Resources Unit. Patrols are warned against using force and instructed to call 911 when they see something suspicious.

Lau, who said police receive about 10 calls a week about activities at the ramp, predicted success if everyone cooperates and people commit to the program.

"We need that commitment," he said. "If they give 100 percent, we, HPD will give 100 percent."

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.