PO‘IPU — Neighborhood Watch programs work, and they aren’t just for neighborhoods, said Kaua‘i Police Department Lt. Dan Miyamoto. “Please get involved and start a network,” Miyamoto told those in attendance at the Po‘ipu Beach Resort Association crime-prevention seminar Tuesday
PO‘IPU — Neighborhood Watch programs work, and they aren’t just for neighborhoods, said Kaua‘i Police Department Lt. Dan Miyamoto.
“Please get involved and start a network,” Miyamoto told those in attendance at the Po‘ipu Beach Resort Association crime-prevention seminar Tuesday at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa.
The KPD supports and encourages Neighborhood Watch programs for neighborhoods, communities and businesses, said Miyamoto, adding that the more eyes, ears and observers are recruited to try to reduce the numbers of burglaries in the Po‘ipu resort area, the better.
“When something happens, the word goes out. The right information makes a difference,” he said.
If the problem is burglaries at smaller properties and single-family vacation rentals where no security personnel are present (and it is), then a Neighborhood Watch might help, said Miyamoto, who added that in a Kalaheo Neighborhood Watch program members keep eyes on vacation-rental properties as well as owner-occupied residences.
Neighborhood captains are needed to do some of the legwork, and it’s not much legwork, essentially just gathering data (information on neighbors, crime trends, things happening in the community, etc.), Miyamoto said.
KPD’s job is to help citizens get organized, and support them, Miyamoto said.
Those interested should send letters to KPD Chief Darryl Perry, and eventually the communication will be filtered down to Miyamoto, who is in charge of the Neighborhood Watch program for KPD.
Security experts Dave Hamman of Integrity Key, Lock and Safe and Adam Orens of A and B Audio Video Home Theater, agreed that the environment on Kaua‘i is changing, and that people need to realize that.
An increase in the use of methamphetamine and other drugs, a bad economy, an influx of new residents, new scams, cons and ways of breaking into homes and businesses, have changed the terrain, Hamman said.
“They’re out there watching, whether you know it or not,” Hamman said of perpetrators, who work as teams, study patterns of visitors and business owners and employees, and methodically plan their date and time of attack.
Owners and managers of vacation rentals, he said, need to implement strategic improvements, and establish security budgets to improve physical security.
Hamman suggested shopping around for security systems, asking questions.
Orens said the physical loss and mental anguish of being a burglary victim “just kills us,” and that thieves are taking advantage of Kauaians’ trusting nature and the KPD manpower shortage.
“They know that we’re vulnerable,” said Orens, adding that the cost of a high-quality security system is less than the anguish of being a victim.
“Security is a major issue. I think it’s everybody’s job,” said Linda Ruby with the Grand Hyatt and Hawai‘i Hotel Visitor Industry Security Association, encouraging smaller properties on the South Shore to consider taking part in the association’s monthly meetings.
“If we don’t help ourselves, we’ve lost the battle,” said Ruby, adding that it’s better to raise rents and monthly fees than to be a victim of a burglary, indicating that even the smaller properties need to be thinking of spending a little additional money on security measures.
Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, agreed. “Invest in security,” she said.
• Paul C. Curtis, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or pcurtis@kauaipubco.com.
