Traffic fatalities
Traffic fatalities
What is going on?
In response to the recent tragedy reported in the Sept. 12 West Hawaii Today regarding the Hamakua traffic fatalities:
It is so sad that hard-working people who are just living their lives and not bothering or causing trouble for others have had to die at the hands of such a cruel and heartless moron as Alfred Berdon III. He reportedly had been previously convicted on Aug.7 of a DUI and failed to install an ignition interlock on his vehicle by Aug. 14th.
So, here he is reportedly driving along under the influence again, most likely not just alcohol, and sideswipes the van with the passengers just because he felt like passing and couldn’t be coherent enough to do so safely.
Two upstanding, hard-working, taxpaying innocent individuals are killed and others are injured because of this guy and he doesn’t even get any injuries.
The other thing is I know is it costs the taxpayers so much more money for this jerk to be incarcerated, paying for his court-appointed lawyer and court fees, etc., to make sure he doesn’t get on the road while he is under the influence, no insurance, suspended license, etc.
What is going on here?
I was just issued a citation for not coming to a complete stop at an intersection and had to pay $97 — even though I had stopped.
I was very rudely told by the officer who stopped me, “What did I have to say for myself?”
I certainly don’t think Alfred Berdon III was asked that at any time in his life, although now he may have to since these two people died so pointlessly.
Stephanie Tatum-Ford
Kona
Burglaries
Get priorities straight
The recent rash of burglaries and car break-ins in Waikoloa Village should be a wake up call for the Hawaii Police Department.
Ever since it closed down the satellite police substation in the village, crime has risen. There have been more drug-related crimes, more vandalism, more burglaries, car break-ins, etc. And if you try to call the police for an emergency, you’re lucky if you get an officer to come out in an hour.
Recently, there was a single-car crash on the corner of Hooko Street and Paniolo Avenue. The driver was speeding in a residential area near the elementary school and crashed into a light pole, narrowly missing a young boy. Neighbors called the police and ambulance.
EMTs and the Fire Department responded in approximately 15 minutes. The Hawaii Police Department didn’t arrive until more than an hour later, despite calls from witnesses that the driver of the car was clearly intoxicated and looked like he might try to leave the scene.
The Hawaii Police Department has shown what low value they have of Waikoloa Village. Instead of providing the small hamlet with more officers to protect the citizens, it tells them they need to police themselves.
I shudder to see what happens when citizens are required to take the law into their own hands.
The Hawaii Police Department needs to get its priorities straight and reopen the substation in Waikoloa before the area becomes more crime-ridden.
Shawn Lathrop
Waikoloa