Police: More vagrants, more crime in downtown Hilo

Hawaii Police Department Assistant Chief Henry Tavares said a spike in property crime in downtown Hilo is related to the city’s ongoing homeless problem.

“Talking to our community police officers, I was actually floored to hear that the latest statistics show that there are over 100 homeless individuals that visit, stay or live in downtown Hilo,” he told the County Police Commission on Friday.

Tavares said the numbers are shocking and that the department is working with property owners to find ways to address the situation.

“Some of the problems we are experiencing is that property owners, although their businesses are getting damaged, they are not willing to prosecute,” he said. “So, it kind of makes it a little more difficult. We can’t get them into the system.”

In February, there were eight incidents of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, up from five a month before, according to Tavares. There also were eight burglaries in February; however, he did not have January statistics for comparison.

According to a May 2014 report by the state Department of Human Services Homeless Programs Office, there were 139 homeless in Hilo in 2014, up from 96 in 2013 — a 31 percent increase. Hilo’s 2014 figure accounted for 21.1 percent of the island’s homeless population.

Islandwide, the homeless population jumped nearly 40 percent, from 397 in 2013 to 658 in 2014, according to the report. Last year, Kealakehe accounted for 27.5 percent of Big Isle’s homeless, with 181 individuals.

Sita Gonzales, chair of the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association’s safety committee, said there are definitely new faces around town, including a noticeable increase in the number of families living on the streets.

“We really need to step up and see where we can help and not just toss them around,” she said. “If we push them out of Hilo, they’re going to go to Pahoa.”

One place that has become a daytime magnet for the homeless is Lincoln Park. Gonzales says it’s likely because it has one of only a few public restrooms in the downtown area.

Steven Markham, outgoing president of HDIA, said he has watched the homeless population grow significantly and hears about the problem from local businesses every day. The dark reality, he said, is that homelessness often translates into criminal activity and deflated property values, as well as impedes economic growth.

“It is the number one concern on their list,” Markham said of business owners. “How can we address this problem proactively and in a positive manner?”

Markham owns a building downtown. In just the last several months, despite efforts to keep the area well lit at night, the building has been broken into twice. Additionally, a car was stolen from the parking lot and another vehicle was broken into.

“If the community doesn’t take ownership, then basically guess who’s going to take ownership of these places?” he said.

HPD currently has two community officers patrolling the downtown Hilo area, on foot and on bike, and Tavares said that is making a difference.

“And we’re doing everything we can,” he told the commission.

One question posed Friday by Commission Vice Chair John Bertsch was whether HPD, in light of the increased number of homeless, is planning any sort of proactive approach during the upcoming Merrie Monarch Festival, which draws thousands of visitors to Hilo.

Tavares said he is planning to meet with festival organizers Monday to discuss that very issue.

“We’re doing what we can to make sure downtown Hilo is well represented during the Merrie Monarch,” he said.

In February, Area 1 of the Big Island, consisting of North and South Hilo, Hamakua and Puna, accounted for 428 serious crimes, compared to 190 in Area II, which consists of North and South Kohala, Kona and Ka‘u. Serious crimes include burglary, robbery, theft, auto theft, sexual assault, murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault.

Email Chris D’Angelo at cdangelo@hawaiitribune-herald.com