Auto thefts lead 18 percent surge in O'ahu crimes

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

Serious crime on O'ahu increased last year by 18 percent over the previous year, with motor vehicle theft accounting for the biggest jump, the Honolulu Police Department said today.

The total number of serious crimes, violent and property, increased from 48,442 in 2001 to 57,271 last year, according to a draft copy of HPD's 1993-2002 Crime Index report.

Total property crimes — burglary, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft — increased by 19 percent. Violent crimes — murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault — rose 6 percent.

The crime rate has not been this high since 1996, when 60,059 total cases were reported.

Motor vehicle theft increased 52 percent, with 8,488 cases reported last year compared with 5,597 in 2001.

The most auto theft cases were reported in the areas between Aliamanu and Waipahu.

Vehicle owners need to use common sense, said acting Lt. Floyd Matsuda of HPD's auto theft detail.

"When you park your car, don't leave your keys in the car; park in a lighted area and not in an isolated area," he said.

Vehicle owners should also look into deterrents such as a car alarm or The Club, for added protection, Matsuda said.

"The more things you can do that would prevent your car from being stolen, it helps," he said.

Burglaries, which accounted for the next-highest percentage increase of overall crimes, rose 22 percent, from 7,340 in 2001 to 8,932 last year.

East Honolulu reported the most burglaries, with 1,501 cases, according to HPD.

"What we're seeing is that a good percentage of burglaries and thefts are preventable," said detective Clinton Sukekane of the East Honolulu district's burglary and theft detail.

Homeowners should walk around their homes and look for vulnerable entry points, especially areas in the back of the house, Sukekane said.

"If you could easily break into your home, so can a burglar," he said.

But fighting crime involves the entire neighborhood, Sukekane said.

"Sometimes we have cases where a neighbor actually sees the burglary happening," he said. "What I tell people is you know who belongs in the area, so if you see something that doesn't look right, call the police."

Burglaries also often turn into spin-off cases, such as auto or identity thefts because homeowners leave their car keys and personal checks lying around in the house, Sukekane said.

Rounding out the numbers for property crimes are larceny-theft cases at 37,250, up 13 percent from 33,052 in 2001.

The 6 percent rise in violent crimes includes a 4 percent increase in rapes — from 293 in 2001 to 304 last year — a 7 percent increase in robberies — 999 to 1,072 — and a 6 percent increase in aggravated assaults — 1,141 to 1,207.

The number of murders, however, dropped from 20 in 2001 to 18 last year, the report showed.