Fighting ice, theft top chief's to-do list

By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer

Combating ice and curbing property crime are two of Honolulu Police Chief Boisse Correa's top priorities, the new chief said yesterday in his first public statements about his vision for the department.

Correa

But his thoughts on battling the twin problems of property crime and crystal methamphetamine — a stimulant known as ice — dominated most of Correa's conversation during the hourlong session. He was named the city's ninth police chief Aug. 25.

Correa said that although recent statistics show the number of property crimes on O'ahu is falling, his department will increase its focus on reducing the numbers further.

Among the tactics he is considering is installing security cameras at scenic spots and public parks where thefts and car break-ins often occur.

Correa yesterday did not have an estimate for how many cameras would be used, where they would be placed or how much they would cost.

Waikiki and Chinatown currently are under surveillance using a system of 32 cameras that cost a total of $553,000.

An aggressive approach to ice will have the double effect of reducing property crime, Correa said.

"When you talk crime, you talk drugs," he said.

He said a major component of HPD's approach will continue to be working closely with the Hawaii High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, a partnership of federal, state and county law-enforcement agencies that targets drug crimes.

Through August, Honolulu police had 614 ice cases, compared with 822 cases in all of 2003. The number of cases is on pace this year to hit a three-year high.

Another focus will be to identify specific crimes — ice-related or not — that are most prevalent and problematic in a particular neighborhood instead of targeting all crime simultaneously, which he said minimizes resources and is ineffective.

"We have to pick our battles and attack it vigorously and then pick other battles and attack them vigorously," he said. "In the past we'd target everything, but it doesn't work. A lot of the time, we hit it (a particular crime) and then leave it. We want to attack it and sustain it."

Among other initiatives, Correa said he is considering new substations in East Honolulu and West O'ahu. He did not have cost estimates, or a timetable.

"We need one in West O'ahu. The Wai'anae substation is obsolete and it isn't meeting residents' needs," he said. "In East O'ahu, we need someplace where we can call our home there."

Other discussion included the possibility of a homeland security division within the department.

Correa said having the division would improve training for officers in homeland security and the emerging technologies that go along with it.

Since 9/11, U.S. police departments have been asked to fulfill a series of new roles historically not a part of police responsibilities, including keeping a watch over power plants, water supply facilities and other key infrastructure.

Correa said such a division would also work hand in hand with his desire to use new and emerging technology to fight crime.

He said he is seeking money from the federal government and the state to improve HPD's crime-fighting technology.

"We have to keep up with the technology the way the bad guys keep up with the technology," he said.

Mindful of the upcoming mayoral election, however, Correa was careful to point out that a new administration could lead to a change in HPD priorities.

"It's a changing time and we have to be flexible," he said.

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