HPP Robbery

[Carey]

RadioGuy, from the tool theft thread, it seems that the COLOR of your things might make a difference (I definately think a hot pink washer & dryer would not get legs...perhaps another color for the bed....Rustone...avacado...maybe combined?)
But then you would have to look at it... Maybe someone could market things like the car wraps for household items when you're away...(wrap on/wrap off) that make your new things look worthless...)
(Sorry, been working out in the yard & I think that the sun has gotten to me)

[Dave M]

Here's a fact sheet I found on Gun laws in Hawaii:

Fact Sheet on Hawaii Gun Laws and Statistics on Gun Violence in Hawaii

This fact sheet provides background information for journalists covering today's shooting at a Honolulu, Hawaii office building.

Hawaii Firearm Laws1


A permit is required to purchase any firearm. All firearms must be registered. Separate permits must be obtained to purchase a handgun.

Since 1995, all applicants for a firearm permit must complete a firearms safety or hunter education course.

No permit may be issued to a first-time applicant before a waiting period of 14 days has elapsed, but the permit must be approved or denied within 20 days.

A "may-issue" concealed handgun licensing system is in place under which the chief of police of the appropriate county may issue concealed carry permits to carry concealed handguns to individuals who demonstrate a reason to fear injury to person or property.

Firearm-Related Death in Hawaii

In 1996 Hawaii ranked 49th in rate of firearm-related death, with a rate of 4.40 per 100,000. In 1996 the national rate of firearm-related death was 12.94 per 100,000.2

In 1996 Hawaii ranked 44th in rate of firearm-related homicide, with a rate of 1.81 per 100,000. In 1996 the national rate of firearm-related homicide was 6.02 per 100,000. 3

In 1996 Hawaii ranked 48th in rate of firearm-related suicide, with a rate of 2.12 per 100,000. In 1996 the national rate of firearm-related suicide was 6.29 per 100,000.4

In 1998 there were 24 murder victims in Hawaii. Of these, four were killed with handguns and rwo were killed with rifles.5


Looks much like the same laws as Texas. Of course we have an open registration for a concealed license. As well, we just passed a law that says we can protect our property with deadly force. (Don't know if agree with it)

Someone made the comment about having shotguns & rifles on the gunrack, and how that would reduce crime. Maybe so, but as a volunteer EMT in a big rural county I can say that I have seen what happens when a small bar room fight goes out to the parking lot, When every truck in the lot has a gun on the rack. It ain't pretty. Yes, I own guns.

I think there are to many guns on the streets to take away the guns. I have mine to protect my family, not to shoot sneak thiefs.

Although, most native Texans have adopted a saying "I'd rather be tried by twelve than carried by six".

Basicly sneak thieves get the sht kicked out of themselves eventually, whether on a jobsite or in a front yard at 2 in the morning.

I agree with a neighborhood watch and I'll go a step further; if word of a couple of these little sneak thieves getting their hands/fingers broke by a mob of residents in a neighborhood, accidently of course, got around then I'll bet the thieving slows down, in that neighboehood.

My motto is to make it easier to go somewhere else. Sorry if you're somewhere else.


Take care,
dave

[oink]

Most states have adopted laws that pretty much make a burglar of an occupied dwelling fair game. I believe Hawaii is one of the few exceptions. I do believe there are valid statistics that indicate a positive relationship between gun ownership and crime rate. More guns= less crime. I agree with several of Glens other points. I believe his view that gun violence is more a reflection of the culture. We Americans have been a violent bunch from the start. Probably a result of our herritage of rebellion and being a frontier culture for much of our history. Hawaii laws are some of the most anti gun laws in the country. Some of them are likely not constitutional. In Florida it is best to assume there is a gun in every vehicle. There usually is one in mine. A conversation with my wife just a couple of hours ago, she is leaving in the AM for a convention in Las Vagas for 4 days and flying out of Ft Lauderdaler: Wife - "I'm leaving the car in the parking lot at the airport. Should I leave my gun here or take it and leave it in the car." (the concern was about theft from the vehicle) Me - "Take it and leave it in the car. I would feel better knowing you had it on the way home. If it gets stolen, maybe the insurance will pay for it" We're talking a .40 glock. She does have a CCW permit but you don't need one to cary a gun in your car (certain restrictions apply). If my wife was commuting from Puna to Kona every day by herself I would feel a lot better knowing she had a gun in her car. If she were to break down in BFE, chances are a nice person full of aloha would stop by and help, but there is a small chance it would be a desperate crazed tweaker needing cash.

Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.

[Dave M]

Oink,

I agree that there are statistics that point to less crime in states with a pro gun agenda. But again those statistics are based on the US. As you said our history as well as our constitution comes into play. I stand by my prvious post that there are too many guns in the wrong hands, in the US, to ever ban personal weapons.

As for the Glock .40, I love the .40 round but I can't say that I'd ever choose the Glock for my wife's personal carry weapon or should I say she wouldn't. She qualified with a PPK 380. But after it was all said and done she prefers the 38 special/snub.

As for the airport dilemma; ours is a little bit different. Her big decision is where to move her gun from her checkin luggage to her purse. She usually does the switch from her luggage to her purse out near the curbside when she's returning and vice versa when she departs.

My/her struggle with leaving a gun in the car is that they're kinda hard to shoot when they're locked in the car. Lets face it, she is at her most risk walking to or from the car. She always declares the gun at check-in and then slips the guy a five/ten dollar bill and asked him to turn the red luggage tag into the luggage. So hopefully it doesn't become "lost" in transit.

Glenn,

I agree with you that Government doesn't fail us but it is the elect that fails us. But this gov. as well as the elect needs a lot of change. Corporate lobbyist run the country, period.

I don't think taking control of your neighborhood through watches and patrols is to much to ask.

People know when they move to the country that they wont be getting the same services that they had when they lived in the city as well they wont be taxed for those services.

Around here everyone wants more service but when you start talking about raising their taxes, to pay for it, they start calling you a yellow dog etc..

I agree with you about Blackwater and the other "security firms" it's a sad joke and the Anerican tax payer is the brunt of the joke.

Take care,
dave

[aprild]

Hi, Glen,et al,

There is a good article in the June issue of Vanity Fair on privatization in the US. Evidently, the trend of taking public services out of the hands of the government (the public sphere) and putting them in the hands of the private, for profit sector led to the downfall of the Roman Empire. This article (from a book on the subject) draws parallels to our present situation. Very informative, salient points.

I was once told by a Texan that Texas is an extremely mannerly, respectful society due to the fact that most people are armed! You don't want to tee off a person with a gun.

I am a peace, love, and good-vibe proponent who learned to handle a gun when I was befriended by a 'biker-type' who feared for my safety since I live alone, far out in the country. I have never needed it and I hope to never need it in the future.

He also got me two Rottweilers. I think the dogs are the best deterrent, frankly. These are dogs who will defend their owners to the death, but are huge love-bugs to their family and friends.

A fence with a dog inside it and maybe one of those signs that say "Protected by Smith & Wesson" would probably do the trick. (You don't even have to have the actual gun.) What do you think?

I think that awareness and writing down license plates are good ideas, too.

You can be robbed wherever you live--not just in Puna. Most folks I know who live in typical cities everywhere and who own a lot of expensive things have alarm systems.





april

[Dave M]

April,

Excelent post.. The dog thing is very prudent to this topic. As I have said "make it easir to go some place else" Sorry if you're some place else. Very nice.

Take care,
dave

[Rob Tucker]

Well, while 1,000 residents are stocking up on Rottweilers, shotguns, pistols, crossbows, fences and signs I still say that the most efficient path to home and neighborhood security is to get those half dozen thieves off the block.

Show some political gumption and demand that the police department, and prosecutor's office do those simple things that catch stupid burglers. This might even involve leaving the TV behind some evenings and attending community or council meetings. If you are going to talk about it you may as well talk to those who can do something.

[Dave M]

Hey Rob,

Sounds good, but then these people that go and complain end up being labled as the people that moved here and want to change Puna. (at least from what I've heard here)

I've found that people love your idea until it's time to raise their taxes to pay for the Sting Operation and/or increased patrols.

Bottom line is you're right in that people need to get involved, vote, write, and show up for forums and such. Hope it works before me and my, recently chipped labs, get there.

Take care,
dave

[Rob Tucker]

I'd much rather be labeled as a complainer than as a victim. People do not generally complain enough in my opinion. Who cares what some letter writer to the Trib thinks?

There is truth in the fact that many of these sub standard subdivisions are in a poor position to demand road improvements. They do pay taxes however and police protection is not/or should not be limited by living in a private subdivision.

Try this: disgard the assumption that the police are not interested or capable. Assume the opposite. Every police department from Beverly Hills to Puna needs the community on their side to be effective. There are way too few of them to do it alone. Neighborhood watches are a good place to start.

Then try this: Attend and testify at council meetings, police commission meetings and neighborhood meetings. Try to gather enough of a group to speak with more than one voice. Shout loud enough and they will hear. If you get no response then look to the next election.

Parallel to Puna's infrastructure problem is a history of not turninng out to vote. Apathy does not accomplish much.

[Carey]

Rob, Locking up the criminals seems to be problematic in this county... When we first arrived here 2 years ago, there was an escape out of the Hilo facility using bedsheets (Keystone Cops?) then 2 more bedsheet escaped happened within the year (???). In todays paper a prisoner escaped while at Kona Hospital, (in leg shackles!) apparently he had to go to the wash room & escaped out by going into the ceiling (no guard?). The inmates & the county seem to take a very lax attitude about escape. The sad part of this is that people can get hurt & killed as a result of this - as happened last year.
I do not have the magic answer. The inmates that try to escape are usually in for lesser offences, & end up with a heavy felony, or worse. Family members act surprised at the end result. Prison does not seem to be taken seriously on this island, with reason. What is the answer? That I do not know.



Edited by - carey on 05/29/2007 13:09:52