Two local citizens, sounding more puzzled than angry, called this newspaper in the past week to complain about getting a speeding ticket. Lots of folks get speeding tickets on Kaua’i but these folks called because they claimed the tickets were
Two local citizens, sounding more puzzled than angry, called this newspaper in the past week to complain about getting a speeding ticket.
Lots of folks get speeding tickets on Kaua’i but these folks called because they claimed the tickets were issued by county sheriffs.
Both errant motorists said they were speeding.
But both also expressed surprise that sheriff’s were empowered to issue citations.
That shouldn’t be a surprise.
According to Kaua’i Chief Deputy Prosecutor Craig De Costa, sheriffs are empowered (under state statute 803-5) to issue citations and make stops for any offense any other law enforcement officer might.
“There’s nothing new there,” De Costa said.
But that isn’t quite the last surprise.
According to Sergeant Gary Saiki it isn’t happening.
“We don’t even have any citation books,” Saiki said.
Saiki added that occasionally his deputies do help out law enforcement.
He described a recent incident in which one of the deputies saw a man stuck in traffic who was wanted on a family abuse warrant.
“He (the deputy) drove up on the shoulder of the road (next to the offender’s car) and got the guy arrested,” Saiki said.
“We can help out if it’s needed, but we don’t give tickets,” Saiki concluded.
