KITV-article

October 4, 2013

Kailua residents make their frustrations known to city prosecutor

Kaneshiro: "We have a system that gives too many chances at the expense of public safety"

by Brenton Awa

 

Nearly 300 of those crimes were vehicle break-ins; 124 were burglaries; and 260 were thefts.

"They're sick of it.  They're sick of homeless people riding around on bikes. Unemployed people coming in, breaking in homes. Admitted drug addicts stealing from homes hurting people," Kailua resident Rich Tilghman.

Residents blame repeat offenders, but prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro says otherwise.

"It's not just a few people committing crimes -- it's a bunch of people committing crimes," said Kaneshiro.

One problem both residents and Kaneshiro can agree on is the state's Justice Reinvestment Initiative.  Kaneshiro is against it because the initiative brings home Hawaii prisoners that are currently in Arizona and, to make space in our local prisons, it releases non-violent criminals back into the community.

Some residents agree.

"There's a thing called the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, which is a joke which basically is people get arrested then released into the community immediately and never spend a day in jail.  That's a fact.  You can look that up," said Tilghman.

Kaneshiro wants to change that.

"We have a system that gives too many chances at the expense of public safety," said Kaneshiro.

In Thursday night's meeting, Kaneshiro spoke of one solution -- building a new prison here.  But, until then, he offered another option for stopping those repeat offenders.

Kaneshiro said, "Give me the names of the people and we'll look at them and make sure we'll prosecute them."

That message wasn't just for Kailua residents.  There's several major communities on Oahu where more total crimes occurred in the last six months.

Kaneshiro says if residents want change, they need to make their voices heard when legislation is up for debate

KITV-article

October 3, 2013

Kaneshiro scheduled to attend Kailua neighborhood board meeting

Residents say Kailua has experienced more house break-ins, auto theft

 

KAILUA, Hawaii —Neighbors in Kailua are hoping to get some help Thursday night over concerns of increased crime in the area.

Honolulu City Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro is expected to attend Thursday night's neighborhood board meeting to learn more about these concerns.

Residents say there have been more house break-ins and auto thefts and worry the people doing the crimes are repeat offenders.

The meeting is at the Kailua District Park Recreation Center at 7 p.m.

KHON-article

September 28, 2013

Windward Oahu residents fed up with rash of thefts

By Vanessa Stewart

This normally quiet neighborhood in Kailua, has become a target for thieves in the past few months.
“The car was parked right here the car was parked underneath the carport,” Kailua theft victim Larry Bartley said.
A few weeks ago, Bartley’s van was broken into overnight.
“I had a very expensive lap-top computer that was stolen last week kind of hampered my ability to do work,” Bartley said.
He says car break-ins have doubled between last summer and this summer.
According to crime mapping, there were 81 crimes related to vehicle break-in and theft on Ohana Street from July 1 to September 28.
Bartley is not the only victim.
“These were the cupboards so we had the tools in here,” Kailua resident Alana Busekrus said.
Alana Busekrus said her husband’s tools were stolen a few weeks after they moved into their home.
After getting their tools stolen, thieves stole her niece’s wallet out of her car parked near outside their home.
Busekrus reported the incident to police and then a week later, her daughter found a clue.
“I was just bringing my bike out and I saw this little bag and it had a lighter and a driver’s license and brought it into my Dad and he said we should give it to the police,” Kailua theft victim Lise Busekrus said.
“We called the police thinking it might have been belonging to a victim and the police said that that was a person they’ve actually attached several of these crimes already,” Alana said.
While suspects are being arrested, residents feel not enough is being done to prevent repeat offenders.
“A lot of people feel really threatened more than me about people coming onto their property and stealing things they have a lot of fear,” Bartley said.
So the neighborhood board is doing something to get those concerns addressed.
“I’ve had a lot of neighbors complain to me that the same people are breaking in getting busted out on the street again immediately doing it again. Based on that we passed a motion on the Kailua Neighborhood Board to invite Keith Kaneshiro to our meeting” Bartley said.
Bartley says the board received confirmation that Honolulu prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro will attend the next board meeting.
The meeting will be held at the Kailua Rec Center Thursday, October 3 at 7 p.m.