LIHU‘E — Only a handful of career criminals are behind the rising number of burglaries and thefts occurring across the island, according to Kaua‘i Police Department officials. But regardless of how many times they are arrested, many remain free. For
LIHU‘E — Only a handful of career criminals are behind the rising number of burglaries and thefts occurring across the island, according to Kaua‘i Police Department officials.
But regardless of how many times they are arrested, many remain free.
For example, one person accused of 112 incidents of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle has been arrested 76 times. Another repeat offender — accused of 89 incidents of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle — has been arrested 41 times, Assistant Chief Roy Asher said in an interview Thursday.
“We’re not dealing with new people,” he said. “Yes, we have a problem, but it’s not a bunch of different people doing this. Often times these subjects will continue to commit offenses until they get caught.”
The fear that new criminals are on the rise, running rampant across the island due to the changing economy, is not based on the facts, he said.
“It’s tied to the economic times for sure, but only to a certain extent,” he said.
The reasons habitual thieves are able to continue their cycle of crime is largely because there is insufficient evidence to charge or prosecute them, or they have the ability to post the required bail.
Until the situation remedies itself, the best method to prevent break-ins from happening is prevention, Asher said.
“The old days of leaving your doors unlocked or leaving keys in a car are gone,” he said.
Private investigator Mel Rapozo, a former police officer, agreed. He said Kaua‘i is just not the same as it once was.
“I think the economy is driving it,” he said in a phone interview Saturday, adding that the situation is no better in rural areas on the Mainland. “I’m sure it’s going to get worse before it’s going to get better.”
KPD continues to stress the importance of taking precautionary measures to protect valuables and property, including well-lit entryways and implementing Neighborhood Watch Groups.
When residents aren’t at home, neighbors can help keep a watchful eye on each other’s property, Asher said.
“We all have to take personal responsibility now,” Rapozo said. “The cops are just so busy, so it’s up to us.”
When asked whether there are any particular hot spots on the island regarding burglaries, thefts and unauthorized entry into motor vehicles, Asher said they occur at “random.”
Some criminals frequent heavily populated visitor areas, as “they are more susceptible.”
“Just don’t make it easy for them and don’t leave things in plain sight,” Asher said.
The assistant chief also recommends making sure valuable items can somehow be traced back to them if they are stolen.
“Many of the things we recover, we cannot identify who to return them to because the owners aren’t able to provide serial numbers, or they haven’t etched their name onto their property,” he said.
In recent months, it has been reported that a string of burglaries occurred in Hanalei and on the South Shore. It was also reported that $41,000 in jewelry was stolen from guests staying at Hanalei Bay Resort in July. In addition, the Kilauea Bakery has been broken into four times in less than a year, with two different suspects caught on camera during separate incidences, but only one arrested so far.
To start a Neighborhood Watch Group, contact Contrades (Kapa‘a to Ha‘ena) at 241-1635, Lt. Sherwin Perez (Kapa‘a to Puhi) at 241-1711 or Lt. Danilo Abadilla (Koloa to Kekaha) at 338-1831.
Kaua‘i crime trends for 2009
The number of monthly residential and non-residential burglaries and larceny thefts such as pocket picking, purse snatching, bicycle theft and motor vehicle theft.
Crime classification January February March April Average
Residential burglaries 29 34 28 29 30
Non-residential burglaries 37 37 31 35 35
Larceny theft 197 141 160 124 155
Kaua‘i crime trends for 2006 to 2008
The number of yearly residential and non-residential burglaries and larceny thefts reported such as pocket picking, purse snatching, bicycle theft and motor vehicle theft.
Crime Classification 2006 2007 2008
Residential burglaries 246 331 317
Non-residential burglaries 289 388 393
Larceny theft 1,889 1,959 1,718
The monthly average of residential and non-residential burglaries and larceny thefts reported such as pocket picking, purse snatching, bicycle theft and motor vehicle theft.
Crime classification 2006 2007 2008
Residential burglaries 20.5 27.6 26.4
Non-residential burglaries 24.1 32.3 32.8
Larceny theft 157.4 163.3 143.2
