11-21-2008, 04:10 AM
So, how do we improve the safety and security of Puna?
My personal initial solution is a targeted tax increase. But not a wholesale tax increase, but a target fund increase. The people of Puna would petition the county for a (discussion purposes) 1% property tax increase that would be placed in a Puna District Safe Streets Fund. The Fund would provide financial resources to the Hawaii County Police to reimburse them for cost of providing additional services (approved by a citizen board) above the historical and preplanned projected services to the District.
So the Police will notify the Fund Board that they would like to conduct targeted operations for the arrest of those engaged in property crimes. They estimate that the cost to conduct a dedicated operation in Puna would be X dollars. The Board votes to authorize the funds as a grant to the PD for that specific purpose. The PD would be required like all reimbursable grants to document the operation and show a positive result for the reimbursement.
I know this is controversial, but it is done in many areas and is successful. The main issue is the people need to basically put their money where their mouth is.
Comments, thoughts, opinions?
My personal initial solution is a targeted tax increase. But not a wholesale tax increase, but a target fund increase. The people of Puna would petition the county for a (discussion purposes) 1% property tax increase that would be placed in a Puna District Safe Streets Fund. The Fund would provide financial resources to the Hawaii County Police to reimburse them for cost of providing additional services (approved by a citizen board) above the historical and preplanned projected services to the District.
So the Police will notify the Fund Board that they would like to conduct targeted operations for the arrest of those engaged in property crimes. They estimate that the cost to conduct a dedicated operation in Puna would be X dollars. The Board votes to authorize the funds as a grant to the PD for that specific purpose. The PD would be required like all reimbursable grants to document the operation and show a positive result for the reimbursement.
I know this is controversial, but it is done in many areas and is successful. The main issue is the people need to basically put their money where their mouth is.
Comments, thoughts, opinions?