Lack of money threatens O'ahu anti-crime project

By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer

The federally financed Weed & Seed program that supporters say has reduced felonies and drug offenses significantly in two of O'ahu's most depressed areas is in serious trouble, because money is running out.

Statistics show a drop in major crimes in two of the three O'ahu Weed & Seed areas, Kalihi/Palama/Chinatown and Waipahu. Officials say it is too early to tell whether the newest site, 'Ewa Beach, will show similar improvement.

Before the area was given Weed & Seed designation, drug dealers and criminals loitered around Tamashiro Market, but crime has decreased noticeably since, said Cyrus Tamashiro, president of Tamashiro Market.

"It's improved so much," he said. "Customers are not accosted by people asking them if they want to buy drugs. It (Weed & Seed) has changed minds about the commitment of government to rid the area of the drug problem."

While Waipahu will receive federal money for fiscal year 2004, Kalihi and 'Ewa Beach will not, as areas in other states have a higher priority. Weed & Seed areas can receive as much as $175,000 from the federal government per year.

The loss for Kalihi and 'Ewa Beach has left the financial burden of the program to local administrators, who are soliciting help from private industry and the state Legislature.

They also hope new sites will be designated in Wai'anae and in Pahoa on the Big Island, but fear those programs will not get federal money either.

"Everything would suffer" without federal money, said Maile Kanemaru, Hawai'i Weed & Seed director. "We couldn't pay the police officers, we wouldn't have site coordinators, and there would be no community advisors."

Weed & Seed was established in 1997 to weed out drug dealers and violent criminals from communities nationwide while fostering a sense of communal responsibility.

The "weed" portion applies federal law enforcement to rid high-crime areas of gangs, drug dealers and repeat and violent offenders. Federal prosecutors look twice at cases that normally would be processed through the state system, especially career criminals and repeat drug offenders. Convicts then face harsher penalties and federal prison time.

The other part of the program applies crime prevention, intervention, treatment and neighborhood revitalization to "seed" a safer community.

The $175,000 in federal money is split between the "weed" and "seed" initiatives. However, receiving five-year federal recognition as a Weed & Seed site does not guarantee federal aid; a large number of sites compete for money.

Hawai'i's three sites are among 351 nationwide, of which only 170 receive some form of federal money. Hawai'i sites often fall short in neighborhood crime rate — a crucial criterion used by the Justice Department to evaluate applications for federal money — compared with their urban Mainland counterparts such as Philadelphia or Compton, Calif.

Felonies down 80 percent

The Kalihi/Palama/Chinatown site was designated in 1998 and expanded last year to include the Ala Moana/Kaheka area and Kalihi Valley. With that expansion — one of 10 awarded nationally last year — the site is redesignated for five more years.

In 1997, before the designation, 3,498 major felonies were reported in the area, according to the Honolulu Police Department. Major felonies include murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft and arson. In 2002, that number fell to 1,167, and between January and August 2003, to 636 felonies.

There were 2,196 drug offenses reported in the area in 1997. That fell to 246 in 2002.

The site began receiving an annual $175,000 in federal money in 1999, but will receive none in fiscal year 2004.

Waipahu was designated in 2000, and began getting federal money in 2002.

In 1999, 737 major felonies were reported in the area. In 2002, the first year it received federal money, 851 felonies were reported. Between January and August 2003, that number fell to 401. Kanemaru said the spike in reported felonies in 2002 reflected greater community willingness to report crimes.

Waipahu is the only Weed & Seed site in Hawai'i that will receive federal money in fiscal year 2004.

"It always amazes me that when we have successful programs, they are not adequately funded so that they can do the work that they are intended to do," said Darrlyn Bunda, executive director of the Waipahu Community Association. "Some programs that are not as far-reaching receive funding. Sometimes I wonder about the priorities."

The 'Ewa Beach designation came in 2002, but the site has not received any federal money. In 2002, the state Legislature passed a bill providing $350,000 for Weed & Seed, most of which was used for the 'Ewa Beach site.

In 2002, there were 1,133 major felonies reported in 'Ewa Beach. From January to August 2003, there were 570.

Kanemaru said Weed & Seed efforts are working, but it is too early to tell whether there will be a significant impact on crime without federal money.

"We have to just go out there and do it ourselves," said Tesha Malama of the 'Ewa Beach neighborhood board. "A lot of people were looking at this strategy (in 2002) for doing a lot of the weeding in the area, and it has (helped), but there hasn't been enough of it."

All expenses covered

One bill before the Legislature, Senate Bill 3048, would provide $500,000 for Hawai'i Weed & Seed sites.

Weed & Seed money covers all costs associated with the program, including the salary of Kanemaru, roughly $60,000 per year, and of three site coordinators, who earn $50,000 each.

Money also goes toward police overtime costs, renting cars used for undercover work, surveillance equipment and other law enforcement costs.

The state has about 20 Weed & Seed officers, said Sgt. John Kauwenaole of the Honolulu Police Department, who was among the first. Weed & Seed officers teach community members how to report crimes properly, organize citizen patrols and coordinate security watch efforts.

In some neighborhoods, they give community policing coordinators their personal pager or cell phone numbers, so citizens can call for help. "If it is something that needs to be taken care of right away, we tell them to call 911," said Kauwenaole.

Money also goes toward drug prevention programs, safe houses and outings for kids, utility bills and refreshments at meeting sites. Some money has been used to start after-school activities for kids. At Kaiulani Elementary School,

Weed & Seed money allows head custodian Bernard Lewis to run an after-school basketball program.

The Aloha United Way is one of the program's supporters, kicking in $30,000 per year since the program began. Kanemaru's office and all her supplies come through the AUW. This year, it will contribute $60,000.

"For many years, there has been a shift in how communities approach problems," said Susan Doyle, AWU's chief operating officer. "This one has managed to work. ... Weed & Seed is a great example of how you can line up big policy with community interaction."

Resources strained

The program is applauded by officials from U.S. Rep. Ed Case to U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo. But Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, who has spearheaded a statewide mobilization to eradicate Hawai'i's crystal methamphetamine epidemic, chose not to use the Weed & Seed program as part of his strategy.

Aiona acknowledges that the program helps eradicate crime, but he doesn't believe federal distinction is necessary for problem areas.

"Is it a strain on the local police? I think it is," Aiona said. "You don't need the designation Weed & Seed for the police department or the state to develop something like that. You need a commitment from local law enforcement that can be worked out."

Kubo said sustaining interest, activism and involvement is difficult, and crucial to the program's success. He echoed Aiona's belief that law enforcement resources are strained at the three sites, but said the success has been worth it.

"We take out the worst of the worst in that area," Kubo said. "The community benefits, because they are no longer living under fear."

Case said he had sought more federal money for the Hawai'i sites. "It is a very popular program," he said. "There is no question that the (Bush) administration has been unable to match the funding to the demand."

Sen. Willie Espero, D-20th ('Ewa Beach, Waipahu), said the program helps law enforcement efforts in the communities he represents. "We're trying to get funding," he said. "Obviously, it is a very successful program that a lot of communities want."

Bunda said the Hawai'i sites all had proven worthy of federal money. "The fact that we got selected — it showed the community was behind it," Bunda said. "The funding should follow."

She said it doesn't make sense to designate an area and not provide the money. "It (the program) has a positive effect in every community where it has been initiated."

The state has submitted applications for two more sites, Wai'anae and Pahoa, largely because of prevalent and brazen drug offenses. Residents in both areas believe the designation will help combat crime, federal officials said.

Kanemaru said she should hear word about the designations in the next 30 days.

Big Island officials have worked out a complex strategy to pay for the program if it does not receive federal money, Kanemaru said.

"If Wai'anae gets designated, we have to work to identify funding streams," she said. "We just go and look for funding."

Reach Peter Boylan at 535-8110 or pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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