I. CRIME

The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the implementation of programs and the initiation of changes in legislation and administration of the criminal justice system, improvement of public awareness and cooperation towards the reduction of Maui County’s crime rate for the betterment of our community.

Supporting Statement

A. Criminal Justice System Requirements
The Maui Chamber of Commerce will continue to support the enhancement of manpower training and facilities requirements for the County’s police, prosecutors, and State corrections and probation officers in cooperation with the respective agencies, to determine where shortages exist; evaluate the optimum manpower requirements and pursue acquisitions.

The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the efforts of various resource organizations in their efforts to reduce the crime rate within Maui County and will offer assistance, guidance and recommendations for needed changes.

B. Youth Programs
1. The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the development of youth activities aimed at prevention and diversion from the juvenile justice system.
2. The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the building of a juvenile detention facility on Maui. Currently we are absorbing the cost of sending juveniles to facilities on Oahu or sending them back out onto the streets.
3. The Maui Chamber of Commerce also supports youth programs such as: Juvenile Drug Awareness (D.A.R.E.) and Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.)

C. Crime Stoppers of Maui, Inc.
This program was established as an autonomous entity with affiliation to a national organization which delivers results by developing community awareness and cooperation, and in overcoming apathy, by assisting police in identifying and apprehending criminals. The Maui Chamber of Commerce will support the efforts of the Board of Directors, Crime Stoppers of Maui, Inc.

D. Incarceration
Repeat offenders statistically account for a disproportionate number of all crimes reported to the police. The Maui Chamber of Commerce will continue to initiate efforts to support through lobbying the development of adequate prison space.

E. Criminal Rehabilitation Programs
The Maui Chamber of Commerce will support efforts to re-train and re-socialize convicted criminals - incarcerated as well as on probation - so that their potential for employability will be enhanced.

F. Legislation
The Maui Chamber of Commerce will continue to review crime control legislative measures which are introduced, prioritized and pursue, the re-introduction of crime control legislation.

G. Mandatory Sentencing
The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports mandatory sentencing and limiting the paroling board authority to reduce sentences imposed by the courts.

H. Drug Information Program
The Chamber of Commerce will monitor the extent of the drug problem in Maui County and support successful programs to increase public awareness of and availability of factual information on health hazards associated with substance abuse. The Chamber of Commerce will also monitor the possibility of legislation relating to training to identify the “drugged driver”. The Chamber of Commerce supports the efforts of the Drug Abuse Substance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program directed at 5th graders, as a Maui Police Department/Department of Education sponsored effort. Community resources should be coordinated in this area and the Chamber supports all efforts including “Students Staying Straight”. The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports an intensive program of the narcotic detection and interdiction; i.e., utilizing drug sniffing dogs.

I. Marijuana
The Maui Chamber of Commerce will continue to support “Operation Green Harvest” and other environmentally safe eradication measures necessary to ensure full compliance with the law as it relates to the use, possession and sale of this substance.

J. Crime Symposium
The Chamber will encourage organizations such as the Safety Action Committee to increase community awareness of the extent of our crime problem and determine action necessary to reduce the crime rate. Workshops could bring together experts such as prosecutors, legislators, criminal justice administrators, community groups, school officials and the business public to increase awareness of and prepare for future legislative action necessary for reduction of our crime rate.

K. Internal Theft, White Collar Crime, and Shoplifting
The Public Safety Committee continues to initiate workshops directed towards effective strategies for combating employee theft and shoplifting. The Public Safety Committee supports education and training of citizen-arrest procedures.

L. Victim Assistance Program
The Maui Chamber of Commerce will support Victim-Assistance and Returning Witness Programs. We encourage the assignment of visitor oriented police officers to victims of property and/or violent crimes.

M. Mediation Services
The Maui Chamber of Commerce will continue to support mediation programs directed at resolving the problems unique to school aged youth.

II. FIRE PROTECTION

The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports adequate fire protection for Maui communities.
Supporting Statement

The Chamber applauds the current County government for increasing fire protection for all areas of Maui and for increasing staffing at existing fire stations. The Chamber also applauds the joint private/Maui County projects that share costs of expansions of these services. The Chamber supports the Maui County Fire Department in monitoring potential fire hazards and requiring property owners to either clean up fire hazards or pay for Fire Department directed clean up. Since insurance company rates to property and business owners are affected by the location of fire stations, we support continued evaluation of Maui County fire protection needs and continued expansion of fire protective programs.

III. ARSON STATUTE

The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the adoption of an arson statue.

Supporting Statement

The crime of arson is not punished to the fullest extent as our county does not have an arson statute. Such a serious crime warrants punishment to the fullest extent of the law.

IV. SHOPLIFTING

The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the enactment and enforcement of tough shoplifting laws and penalties.

Supporting Statement

Shoplifting laws should contain minimum mandatory sentences, mandate parental responsibility for the acts of unmarried minor dependents, and strengthen and promote retailers civil remedies. Each year, merchants in Hawaii lose over $42 million to shoplifting. This loss costs consumers about 15% more for all goods purchased. Shoplifting takes everybody’s money. The Chamber urges the present laws be enforced to their fullest extent by both the police and the courts and that vigorous prosecution and sentencing be used as a deterrent to shoplifting. The Chamber also supports legislation to assist merchants to obtain civil relief against shoplifters which will lessen some of the load on criminal courts and provide redress for victims.

V. BAD CHECKS, STOLEN CREDIT CARDS AND COUNTERFEITING

The Maui Chamber of Commerce believes in stronger laws and rigid uniform enforcement against “bad” checks, fraudulent use of credit cards and counterfeited currency and documents.

Supporting Statement

Retailers and other business organizations suffer regular and increasingly larger losses in this area. Current technology has enabled counterfeiters to reproduce almost any type of document, coupon, ticket, card, and currency.

VI. CRYSTAL METHAMPHETAMINE

The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports Maui County law enforcement efforts on the eradication of crystal methamphetamine, use and production.

VII. HOMELESS INCARSERATION

The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports alternate incarceration of homeless citizens.

Supporting Statement

Many individuals homeless because of life’s situations are arrested for trespassing and incarcerated in maximum security housing with violent criminals. We support the housing of these individuals in a more minimum security facility, such as a half way house, while awaiting their sentencing.

VIII. VOLUNTEERS BEACH PATROL

The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the Volunteer Beach Patrol.

Supporting Statement

The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the effort of the Maui Visitors Bureau, The Maui Hotel Association, The County of Maui and all businesses that have donated their time and materials to the formation of the Maui County Volunteer Beach Patrol. We encourage our members to either volunteer or donate materials to this effort.