Remarks by Val Aquino Okimoto
83 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 2 of 4
“Thank you. We'd like to welcome, joining us here today from the administration, from the Department of Community Services, Director Anton Krucke. Good morning, Director Krucke.”
“Thank you, Director. Members, any questions for the Director? Council Member Tupola.”
“Any further questions for Director Krecke? Thank you, Director Krecke. Seeing no further questions, members, we are in discussion. Seeing no further discussion, the chair recommends that resolution 26-170 be reported out for adoption. Any further discussion, any objections or reservations? Hearing none, so ordered. Moving on to agenda item number three, for action resolution 26-173. This resolution authorizes a transfer of up to $280,000 in general fund monies within the patrol activity from the current expenses character of expenditure to the equipment character of expenditure to enable the…”
“Thank you. Proceeding now with remote testimony, clerks, do we have any remote testifiers for this item?”
“Thank you. I believe joining us today in the chamber from the Honolulu Police Department, we have Major Henry Roberts. Good morning, Major.”
“Thank you, Major. Members, questions for the department?”
“Mahalo, Budget Chair. Thank you, Council Member Cordero. Council Member Tupoula.”
“Thank you, Council Member Tupola. Any further questions, members? I do have a couple of questions, and then I can circle back if any of the Council members would like to ask any follow-up questions. Thank you for explaining. I did have some questions when this was presented to my office. And you did mention one of the top questions was why this was not placed in the budget request. You said it was, but it wasn't met. So now you're doing it here in this avenue and you're preparing to also have it for the next fiscal year. Is that what I understood?”
“And the last time, again, if you could repeat, the last time ATVs were purchased was what year?”
“Okay. And those ATVs were used for patrol or for CPT?”
“Okay, which is what I would assume they would be used for. So that was my question. I don't understand how this is gonna be used for CPT. I'm not sure if it was your major that mentioned that you said these will be used for CPT in all districts. Can you explain to me which districts? I have two police districts in my city district and I've never seen my CPT officers have the need or the use of ATVs. in their line of duty and what they're doing in our communities.”
“Mililani, Pearl City, Waipahu, Aiea, yes. They come from the Wahiawa Station and the Pearl City Station. And I understand when you say that this would be used in all CPT districts. I can't understand how this would be used in mine. I've never seen it used in mine, and I don't understand how it will be used in mine. I could see how in other areas, but that, again, is patrol, not CPT.”
“And the officers who are using those ATVs on the bike path, are they the CPT officers or the patrol officers?”
“Are the other ones patrolling the areas like the bike path?”
“I've never seen it in my district. Okay. So I'm trying to understand. I see them on the bike paths when we're cleaning it. They're not always there, but I would assume those are patrol ones. And you mentioned that they're trained. So all the officers in the CPT, they already receive training or they will receive training? What's the plan for them to have?”
“Okay. I have one question and I'll turn it over to Council Member Cardero for any follow-ups. What assurances can you give to us that the ATVs will not be transferred to the Major Events Division and will remain with the CPTE?”
“So is it mainly going to be used for patrol or for what the community policing team division needs? Because you did mention that you're looking at how utilizing these funds will not impact The community policing teams ability to fulfill their their plans and their programs will this impact what they're doing in the communities there is there's fun there's enough funds in Current expense in patrol bureau to support every single elements needs for CPT expenses Okay, but you need this but not for the ATVs and the ATVs are necessary in your mind right now the”
“Okay, thank you so much. Council Member Cordero.”
“Thank you, Council Member Tobol. Members, any further questions? Okay, thank you. Thank you so much, Assistant Chief and Major Singh. No further questions. Members, we are in discussion.”
“Thank you, Council Member Cordero. Members, any further discussion? I want to thank you guys. I do agree. I had concerns. I continue to have some concerns about why this wasn't done in the budget process, especially since we just came off the heels of that. I'm hearing the discussion and the questions. I do want to, first of all, thank you guys. I know that what you guys do every day We've always been supportive of the department and continue to do so. And as was stated, we were at an event where CPT and the community police teams are the ones where we feel the most impact directly in our…”
“Thank you. Proceeding now with remote testimony. Clerks, do we have any remote testifiers for this item?”
“Seeing no testimony on my agenda. Oh, okay. I see from the Department of Transportation Services, Renee Espiao. Sorry. Thank you for joining us today and welcome to the chamber.”
“Members, any questions for the administration? Thank you. Council Member Topola.”
“Thank you, Chair Waters. Members, any further questions? I just had a quick question. It was mentioned about the expedition of, I guess, the time from start to finish. So what are we looking at? When this is hopefully able to go through, what kind of processes will be faster? What timelines are we looking at to have things more effectively or efficiently done in our areas?”
“Thank you. We look forward to that as well. Members, any further questions? Okay, thank you very much. Seeing no further questions, members, we are in discussion. Last chance to ask for a plug in your area. No, we're thankful for DTS and all that you guys are doing to keep our streets safe. Seeing no further questions or discussion, The chair recommends that resolution 26-181 be amended to a CD1 as discussed to remove the Oxford comma after partnerships in the table in the be it resolved clause. Any discussion, any objections, any reservations? Hearing none, the resolution is amended to a…”