Posted on: Tuesday, July 5, 2005
99 warned, 17 cited in parks crackdown
Advertiser Staff
Law-enforcement officials announced that they issued 99 warnings and 17 citations for alcohol use, vandalism and other violations at 19 state parks in the first 12 days of Operation Safe Parks.
The program was launched last month to provide increased monitoring of the state's 54 parks and 21 small-boat harbors by officers from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, the state Deputy Sheriff Division and county police departments.
Alcohol-related violations, including underage drinking, accounted for the bulk of the warnings and citations issued at 19 state parks on O'ahu, according to the Deputy Sheriff Division. Statistics from Neighbor Island sites were not available.
From June 15 to June 27, 84 warnings and 11 citations were issued for alcohol-related violations. Thirty of those cases occurred at Sand Island State Park and 26 at Ke'ehi harbor. Maunalua Bay harbor and Kaiwi State Park each accounted for 12 warnings or citations, the Ala Wai harbor had 11, and Wa'ahila State Park four.
Authorities also reported two property crimes and two warrant arrests at Kaiwi.
In addition, 15 warnings and two citations were issued at parks for various park rule violations, mostly involving problems with loose dogs, open fires and overnight parking.
Operation Safe Parks did not report any problems at 11 sites: Rainbow Island, He'eia, Keawa'ula, Makua, Ka'ena, Malaekahana, Kahana, and Mokule'ia state parks, and the He'eia Kea and Hale'iwa harbors, and the Kahana boat ramp.
The program of stepped-up enforcement is expected to continue through the Labor Day weekend, as more than 300 uniformed officers in clearly marked cars check parks and small boat harbors at regular intervals throughout the night and early morning hours on a daily basis.
State regulations prohibit consumption or possession of alcoholic drinks at state parks, and fires should be confined to fireplaces and grills provided at the parks. Portable stoves or warming devices may be used in designated camping and picnicking areas unless otherwise prohibited.
Park rules also require that pets and other animals be caged or on a 6-foot or shorter leash, unless signs indicated that no animals are allowed.
