NANAKULI, Hawaii (KHON2) — Dozens came to a West Oahu town hall Monday evening to address crime and safety in the area.
One of the highlights focused on the School Resource Officer or SRO pilot program.
Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news
“At this point, it’s overdue,” explained City Council member Andria Tupola. “We really need in the schools, especially the West Side.”
Waianae’s Holloway discouraged by West Oahu gun violence
Tupola has been collaborating with neighboring island police who already have programs in place, working with the Department of Education and the Honolulu Police Department to make it happen.
Rep. Darius Kila (D) who represents Nanakuli to Maili is excited for the program to get underway in his community.
“For the first time they’re going to see a consistent active presence from a law enforcement officer but also changing the whole substance of it,” Kila said. “They are not just there to enforce crime. They are there to be a part of the community, and I think that’s something. We’re lacking years of having them be that voice of reason having them be that support, but also be that resource to help folks honestly, just feel safe.”
Tupola said she hopes the SRO pilot program will take effect by the end of this school year, with the first campus being Nanakuli High and Intermediate.
The Nanakuli community believes it will make a difference.
“I think that’s important,” Nanakuli High School teacher Kumu Pieper said. “I feel like we took a lot of things away over the years. I’ve been a teacher for 25 years on the West side and when I started school in 1998, we did have a police officer on campus. So I think just the presence alone scares students to get to class. They do what they need to do, and hopefully, we can reinstate that back into the schools.”
Retaliation, responsibility: Who’s to blame for West Oahu violence?
“Honestly, I would feel more comfortable if we had an officer on campus,” Nanakuli High student Jeremiah Magalles admitted. because they keep telling us that they’re going to push enforcement, but I don’t see the enforcement, I don’t see no improvement in the school. There’s still fights in school. There’s gun violence on campus.”
He feels it would make some people think and act differently on campus.
“It would bring like an image like, ‘Oh I can’t do that here.'”
The meeting also addressed concerns about violence in the community. HPD Chief Joe Logan was there to give an update and talk to residents.
“We continue to do enforcement, not just on the traffic side, but also with a larger presence of officers out here in the Maili, Nanakuli and Waianae areas,” Logan explained. “As far as statistic-wise, I don’t have that data. I plan on getting that (Tuesday) morning at our meeting on exactly how we are and how it’s been going. But I’ve heard nothing but good things about the officers out here, helping the community and trying to make a difference.”
Find more Hawaii, Oahu, Maui and Kauai news here
He said they are dedicated to continuing their efforts to ensure the community feels safe.