Page 6 - MidWeek West - May 3, 2023

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MAY 3, 2023
A s a legislator and also mother of young kids, I am deeply troubled by the recent increase in violent attacks in our community. Recent in- cidents reported in the news of assaults and thefts has left many residents feeling con-
STATE REP. TRISH LA CHICA
A Crucial Call For Action On Local Crime, Safety
State Rep. Trish La Chica (center) met with (from left) Maj. Jay Trinidad, Capt. William Beckley and Sgt. Kaipo Paiva of the Honolulu Police Department District 3 to discuss staffing challenges, youth mentorship and implementing a Neighborhood Watch program. PHOTO COURTESY THE OFFICE OF STATE REP. TRISH LA CHICA
activities to support their hab- it, while those with untreated mental health conditions may act out in ways that are harm- ful to themselves and others.
staffing shortage, crisis re- sponse teams consisting of social workers and emergen- cy medical technicians can be dispatched to respond to calls related to homelessness, rath- er than police officers.
to substance abuse treatment and mental health services. In- vesting in these programs and initiatives is not only the right thing to do, but also a smart investment in the health and safety of our communities.
cerned and fearful.
Investing in programs that
I met with the Honolu- lu Police Department team at District 3, which serves the communities from ‘Aiea to Waipahu, including Koa Ridge and Waipi‘o Gentry. Two things stood out to me from our meeting: One, we have a real, out-of-control drug problem on our streets, and two, there is a signifi- cant increase of firearms be- ing carried in public spaces, more than ever before in our
Another valuable tool is the Neighborhood Watch pro- gram. By working with law enforcement we can create a stronger community that is less vulnerable to criminal ac- tivity. My office is planning to host a community workshop this summer in partnership with HPD — stay tuned.
If you have any policy ideas or suggestions on how we can work together to address this issue, please reach out to me.
address the root causes of criminal behavior, including substance abuse and mental health, is one of the most ef- fective ways to reduce crime. For example, individuals struggling with addiction may turn to theft or other criminal
state’s history. These trends are alarming. Our children’s safety is paramount, and we must work together to prevent crime and create a safer com- munity.
We need to support HPD with the necessary staffing and training to keep our com- munity safe. This legislative session, I introduced a reso- lution. To address the police
Finally, the state should re- think how it provides access
Contact state Rep. Trish La Chica (D-37 – Portions of Mililani Town, Milil- ani Mauka, Koa Ridge and Waipiʻo Gentry) at 808-586- 6150 or replachica@capi- tol.hawaii.gov.
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