Latest news with #Resolution128
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Council votes to widen surveillance at city parks
A one-year pilot program to install more video monitoring at city-owned parks prone to high crime was recently approved by the Hono lulu City Council. The Council voted unanimously to pass Resolution 128, which seeks to authorize the use of overt video surveillance at Oahu's public parks to deter crime and provide 'a safe environment for city residents, visitors and employees.' Introduced in April by Council member Radiant Cordero, the resolution says the Honolulu Police Department and other city agencies 'are currently utilizing video surveillance cameras and installing additional video surveillance cameras at various locations within the city, including but not limited to Waikiki, downtown Honolulu, East Oahu, and west side city parks.' The legislation also seeks to quell violent crime at city parks. 'There are multiple reports of violent crimes occurring in parks operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation, the most recent being reports of gunfire on April 20, 2025, at Ala Moana Regional Park, which is one of the busiest parks on Oahu and is frequently visited by tourists, ' the legislation states. Resolution 128 underscores HPD's vacancy of over 450 police officer positions as well. HPD 'is currently dealing with a staffing shortage that would impact the department's ability to maintain a physical presence at city parks in order to detect and deter criminal activity, ' the legislation says. To aid policing efforts, the resolution urges the city to implement 'a one-year pilot program, in order to achieve the legitimate public purposes and legitimate law enforcement objectives … including the detection and deterrence of criminal activity and ensuring the safety and security of the general public and its property.' It says the pilot program is authorized for 'at least one city park per Council district, to be identified by the Council member assigned to that Council district based on a pattern of high criminal activity or ongoing public safety concerns for the respective park.' The legislation states 'overt video monitoring devices authorized under this resolution must be overt and clearly visible, with appropriate public signage to inform the public as set forth pursuant to (city laws ).' Cordero—whose Council District 7 spans Kalihi Kai to Waimalu Kai—previously told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that her resolution 'was prompted by a series of break-ins at one of my district parks, highlighting the urgent need for stronger security.' 'The need for video surveillance in Oahu's city parks is driven by growing concerns over public safety and rising violent crimes, ' she said. 'Notable incidents include gunfire at Ala Moana Regional Park, two break-ins in a District 7 city park, and the recent fire at the Wahiawa District Park Playground.' 'By testing this approach through a pilot program, we can assess its effectiveness and make data-driven decisions for future expansion, ' she added. Cordero said the projected cost of her park surveillance program was not determined. Before the Council's vote on June 4, Cordero noted a major amendment to her resolution—that video monitoring devices placed at parks must not face private property. During public testimony, Hawaii Kai resident Natalie Iwasa opposed Resolution 128. 'I think there's a segment of our population that is particularly sensitive to video monitoring, and that is the immigrants and legal nationals here, especially given the ICE actions, ' she told the Council. 'So we need to be cognizant of that.' Iwasa said surveillance cameras may not deter crime either. 'When you put cameras in one location it seems logical to me that crime is going to move right around the corner where the cameras are not visible, ' she asserted. 'So how does the placement of the cameras in certain areas impact crime in the neighboring areas ?' Chandra Kanemaru, an Aliamanu-Salt Lake-Foster Village-Airport Neighborhood Board member, backed the resolution. 'With the alarming increase in damage and break-in reports at our local district parks and the recent arson fire at the Wahiawa District Park, it is clear that our city's public facilities are under threat, ' she said via written testimony. 'We must act swiftly to protect and monitor these facilities and prevent the rising wave of vandalism and destruction affecting our community, particularly our youth.' Kanemaru added 'the destructive actions of these crimes are not just damaging property and costing thousands in funds to repair and replace equipment ; they are penalizing the youths who rely on these parks, pools, and municipal building structures for a safe outlet to exercise and participate in organized team sports activities.' DPR spokesperson Nate Serota confirmed there are currently 165 surveillance cameras installed at 16 city parks on Oahu. 'There have been cameras in city parks for well over a decade under a variety of initiatives, ' he previously told the Star-Advertiser. 'Our most recent batch of surveillance cameras installed included 25 new surveillance cameras within Ala Moana Regional Park.' Cameras are installed and maintained with in-house city staff, while costs depend on the particular cameras used as well as who paid for them, he said. Organizations, like the Hawai 'i Tourism Authority, sponsored 75 cameras, including at Kapiolani Regional Park. He added the 'footage from these cameras is not continuously monitored.' As far as park vandalism is concerned, Serota said the parks department will 'spend between $300, 000 to $400, 000 annually addressing vandalism through in-house maintenance.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Honolulu Council might widen surveillance at parks
Overt video monitoring at city-owned parks prone to high crime has advanced under a new Honolulu City Council resolution. On its first reading Wednesday, the Council voted to pass Resolution 128, which seeks to authorize the use of more video surveillance at Oahu's public parks to deter crime and provide 'a safe environment for city residents, visitors and employees.' The Council's Public Safety and Customer Serv ices Committee is expected to further review the legislation. Introduced in April by Council member Radiant Cordero, Resolution 128 says the Honolulu Police Department and other city agencies 'are currently utilizing video surveillance cameras and installing additional video surveillance cameras at various locations within the city, including but not limited to Waikiki, downtown Honolulu, East Oahu, and west side city parks.' The legislation seeks to quell violent crimes at city parks. 'There are multiple reports of violent crimes occurring in parks operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation, the most recent being reports of gunfire on April 20, 2025, at Ala Moana Regional Park, which is one of the busiest parks on Oahu and is frequently visited by tourists, ' the legislation states. Resolution 128 also underscores HPD's vacancy of over 400 police officer positions. HPD 'is currently dealing with a staffing shortage that would impact the department's ability to maintain a physical presence at city parks in order to detect and deter criminal activity, ' the legislation says. To aid policing efforts, the resolution urges the city to implement 'a one-year pilot program, in order to achieve the legitimate public purposes and legitimate law enforcement objectives … including the detection and deterrence of criminal activity and ensuring the safety and security of the general public and its property.' It says the pilot program is authorized for 'at least one city park per Council district, to be identified by the Council member assigned to that Council district based on a pattern of high criminal activity at or ongoing public safety concerns for the respective park.' It says that 'overt video monitoring devices authorized under this resolution must be overt and clearly visible, with appropriate public signage to inform the public as set forth pursuant to (city laws ).' Cordero—whose Council District 7 spans Kalihi Kai to Waimalu Kai—previously told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that her resolution 'was prompted by a series of break-ins at one of my district parks, highlighting the urgent need for stronger security.' 'The need for video surveillance in Oahu's city parks is driven by growing concerns over public safety and rising violent crimes, ' she said. 'Notable incidents include gunfire at Ala Moana Regional Park, two break-ins in a District 7 city park, and the recent fire at the Wahiawa District Park Playground.' 'By testing this approach through a pilot program, we can assess its effectiveness and make data-driven decisions for future expansion, ' she added. Cordero said the projected cost of her park surveillance program was not determined. HPD and 'the director of Parks and Recreation, and the director of Information Technology are responsible for implementing the proposed pilot program—this includes determining the projected cost and allocating the necessary funding, ' she said previously. During public comment Wednesday, Hawaii Kai resident Natalie Iwasa testified against the resolution. 'First, I want to make an important distinction : We're talking about government videos here, not private, and I oppose the government's surveillance, ' she said. 'Currently, it is possible for the city to tell when you leave your home, when you come back, what time you go get the mail, when you take your dog for a walk, when you come back, possibly when you're on vacation. A lot of things can be put together currently. 'And I've asked for discussions on this, ' Iwasa added. 'This is related to people who are on bus routes, because the cameras record for 30 days and they have thousands of recordings that are out there. I've never heard of how those cameras are secured, how that information is kept encrypted or anything like that. So I think that should be part of the discussion.' Waikiki resident Jacob Wiencek offered cautious support for the resolution. 'We do need to take all necessary steps to ensure that we have safe, clean public spaces, including our parks … that are enjoyed by the citizens of our city. I do believe this is taking the right step, ' he told the Council. 'However … we definitely need to make sure we put privacy and civil liberty concerns first.' 'Unfortunately, it can be a very thin line between using technology as a public safety benefit to turning into something much more worse, ' he said. 'So I would like to ask the Council that while I support this, I encourage that there be follow-on measures to address privacy and civil liberties concerns.' Before the Council's vote, Vice Chair Matt Weyer—whose Council District 2 includes the Wahiawa District Park Playground, which suffered suspected arson damage May 1—said the city's use of video monitoring raised 'questions in people's minds, but as far as I can tell from the resolution, it's specific to city infrastructure, ' including park facilities. 'Just historically, I know that there have been instances of crime, particularly violent crime, caught on video cameras at some of our parks, and it's a tool that's useful, ' he said. Weyer added that the resolution 'was an appropriate step in terms of protecting our city assets and also increasing public safety without overstepping or going too far.' Council Chair Tommy Waters also favored surveillance in public spaces. 'In our city parks there's rampant vandalism, graffiti and the recent arson in Council member Weyer's district, ' Waters said. 'The surfboard rack in Waikiki was burned down twice, and perhaps video monitoring could have either prevented it or catch the people who are doing these things.' After the meeting, the ACLU of Hawaii expressed skepticism over Resolution 128's intent. 'We understand the city's impulse to respond to recent events, but expanding surveillance in parks raises serious civil liberties concerns, ' Jongwook 'Wookie ' Kim, the organization's legal director, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 'Parks are vital spaces for protest, expression and community life. More cameras risk chilling First Amendment activity, and will disproportionately impact communities already overpoliced, especially houseless people who rely on parks for survival.' 'Any expansion must come with strict safeguards, transparency, and oversight to prevent abuse, ' Kim said. 'We are glad to hear that this is only a one-year pilot program.' Meanwhile, DPR spokesperson Nate Serota confirmed there are currently 165 surveillance cameras installed at 16 city parks on Oahu. 'There have been cameras in city parks for well over a decade under a variety of initiatives, ' he told the Star-Advertiser via email. 'Our most recent batch of surveillance cameras installed included 25 new surveillance cameras within Ala Moana Regional Park.' Serota said previously there were 23 cameras inside Ala Moana park, on or near bathrooms and bathhouses. 'Now there are 48 cameras total, with the 25 new ones on street lights around the park, ' he said. 'These cameras were installed as part of technological improvements to the park. The primary goal of which was to improve network connectivity (internet and phone ) to the park, police, and lifeguard facilities in Ala Moana. So, basically the cameras were an added element to these improvements.' Cameras are installed and maintained with in-house city staff, while costs depend on the particular cameras used as well as who paid for them, he added. Organizations, like the Hawaii Tourism Authority, sponsored 75 cameras, including at Kapiolani Regional Park. 'For instance, HTA-sponsored cameras cost $38, 800 for 75, while the eight security cameras installed at Sandy Beach Park's bathroom buildings (and the data retention system ) cost about $3, 200, ' he said. Serota said that 'footage from these cameras is not continuously monitored.' 'Instead staff and law enforcement will review the footage should it be needed for an investigation, ' he explained. 'They are ultimately intended to be a deterrence and to help prevent criminal activity.' As far as their active use, he said that 'so far this year HPD has requested footage from park surveillance cameras 12 times.' 'I know there was a case of a stolen beach wheelchair at Ala Moana Regional Park where the surveillance footage helped to locate the stolen wheelchair, ' he added. As far as park vandalism is concerned, Serota said the parks department will 'spend between $300, 000 to $400, 000 annually addressing vandalism through in-house maintenance.' 'This doesn't include more egregious cases, like the recent arson case where the playground at Wahiawa District Park was torched, ' he said. 'That alone will cost tens of thousands of dollars to fix.' All in all, he said new surveillance cameras will be welcomed at city parks around Oahu. 'We certainly will work with each of the Council members to determine where they would like to see these cameras installed, ' Serota said. 'This will also be dependent on the existing infrastructure and connectivity of these locations.'
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dozens of bills make the cut as Georgia lawmakers hit home stretch, DEI ban dies
Sen. Blake Tillery. Reads from First Lady Melania Trump's book, in which she said she was debanked. Tillery's debanking bill failed in the Senate by a wide margin. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Lawmakers passed a heap of bills by a key legislative deadline Thursday, signing off – again – on an accelerated income tax rate cut and a plan to slightly expand the state's medical cannabis program while attempting to ban THC-infused drinks. But by the end of the day, many high-profile proposals were left on the cutting room floor, for now. A late push in the House to legalize and regulate online sports betting never made it to the floor for a vote Thursday. And a proposal to overhaul how the state compensates those who are wrongfully convicted in Georgia showed new signs of momentum this year but ultimately did not get a vote Thursday. 'I'm definitely very disappointed. I think it's a missed opportunity to improve the system,' said Rep. Scott Holcomb, an Atlanta Democrat and co-sponsor. House lawmakers did, however, overwhelmingly pass a measure that included individual compensation resolutions for five people who served time in prison after being wrongfully convicted. That measure, House Resolution 128, passed with a 151-12 vote and now moves to the Senate. 'Each of these men were denied their opportunity to an education, to build a career, relationships and family time, to seek a financial future for themselves and their loved ones,' said the bill's lead sponsor, Rome Republican Rep. Katie Dempsey. 'Compensation will not buy back those opportunities or those years, but it will help them move forward, and it is the least we can do,' she said. Dempsey said afterwards that she is still hopeful that the bill overhauling the process can pass this year through legislative maneuvering. 'It's not over until day 40,' she said, referring to the final day of the legislative session on April 4. Another crossover dud was Tyrone Republican Sen. Marty Harbin's Senate Bill 120, which seeks to ban K-12 schools and colleges from promoting, supporting or maintaining 'any programs or activities that advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion.' The controversial bill was on the calendar of bills to be voted on Thursday, but when Lt. Gov. Burt Jones banged his gavel to signal it was time to go home, the DEI bill had still not been voted on. Harbin said there were some changes that needed to be made but declined to say what they were. He implied that the bill could come back in 2026, which is the second in this two-year legislative cycle. 'We got down tonight, and we had our last proofing of the reading, and we said there's some things we need to make right. This is a biennial. We'd rather do it right than do it halfway,' he said. Harbin also declined to say that the bill would not be grafted onto other legislation later this year. While Crossover Day is mostly do or die, dead bills can sometimes be revived before the end of the session by attaching language from the deceased legislation onto a related bill. That could happen any time before April 4, the last day of the session, also known as sine die. That's what Grayson Democratic Sen. Nikki Merritt said she fears will happen. 'Yeah, it could get zombie'd again,' she said. 'So I'm going to tell you, we're going to stay vigilant. I'm going to keep my eye out and we're going to continue to tell our educators and the public, we're going to continue to call to action, it's not over until we sine die, and really it's not over until next year because it can come back, if it stays alive or gets attached to something, it's still in play until we're done for the biennium.' Still, Merritt said she would be smiling on her drive home from the Capitol Thursday night. 'As a minority party, we don't get a lot of wins, and it's really hard for us to push back once it comes out of (the rules committee) or it gets to the floor, we kind of never know,' she said. 'So I do feel like this is a win for now, and it's the power of getting the public engaged.' Georgia cities and counties that attempt to institute gun safety measures could be subject to steep fines under a bill that passed the Senate Thursday. Northwest Georgia Republican Sen. Colton Moore's Senate Bill 163 would allow people aggrieved by local gun regulations to recoup actual damages or up to $50,000, whichever is greater. That's up from $100 under current law. Moore indicated his bill was a response to a Savannah ordinance requiring people traveling with guns to keep them locked up and out of sight when the vehicle is parked. 'When citizens in northwest Georgia go to a place like Savannah, and there is a mayor there who has put in ordinances that violate their Second Amendment rights, my piece of legislation simply says that those citizens, just like your citizens, have a right of tort to sue those governments for violating those rights,' Moore said. Democratic Sen. Derek Mallow, who represents Savannah, said the ordinance was a reaction to more than 200 guns being stolen from unlocked cars in 2024. 'Dr. King said you cannot legislate morality, you can only legislate behavior, and so what the city of Savannah did was to try to create some recourse to have folks just lock their vehicles if they're going to leave a loaded firearm in their vehicle,' he said. The bill passed 33-23 along party lines. Senators rejected a Democrat-sponsored amendment to require guns to be locked up in places where minors may be present. After more than an hour of debate, a bill authored by the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Blake Tillery failed 43-13. Tillery's Senate Bill 57 seeks to outlaw ideological debanking, or banks shutting down accounts of people based on their ideology. The bill would also prevent providers of essential services like water and power from cutting off services to people for ideological reasons. Some prominent conservatives and tech founders, including first lady Melania Trump, have claimed they were debanked under the Biden administration, but it's not clear whether the alleged debanking was for ideological reasons or because the banks had issues with their investments or some other problem. Many of Tillery's fellow Republicans had problems with trying to meddle with banks. 'This is a bill that has some good ideas, but it's looking for a place to land and it does so in a really, really bad way,' said Senate President Pro Tem John Kennedy. 'One of the problems is, passage of this bill puts banks in a horrible position because, as the bankers have said, nine times out of ten when they choose to either not bank somebody or sever a relationship with a client, they can't talk about under federal regulations why they made the decision that they made. So this puts them in a horrible position of not being able to explain the decision that was made but yet leaves them fully exposed to being sued about it.' A proposal to crack down on unscrupulous breeders sailed through the House. The bill, sponsored by Concord Republican Rep. Beth Camp, would ban the practice of selling dogs, cats and rabbits along the roadside, in parking lots, on sidewalks, seasonal flea markets and other areas that tend to be hotspots for unlicensed breeders who prioritize profit over the wellbeing of the animals in their care. Breeders would still be able to sell dogs, cats and rabbits from their home, business, a veterinarian's office or other designated locations, like outside a police department. Camp described the measure as a 'consumer and animal protection bill' that creates a legal pathway for legitimate breeders and makes it harder for puppy mills to sell in Georgia. And she argued her bill might help ease the strain on Georgia's public animal shelters. 'Often animals that are purchased on impulse in parking lots and later found to have poor health end up in animal shelters, which cost every single one of us tax wise,' Camp said. The bill passed 161-13 Thursday and now heads to the Senate. The Senate backed a bill Thursday that would make it a criminal offense for so-called doxxing, the act of recklessly posting someone's personal information that places them at risk of being stalked or injured. Roswell Republican Sen. John Albers presented Senate Bill 27, which he said would provide some teeth for fighting a chilling crime that can put unsuspecting people in dangerous situations. He said the intent is not to infringe on an individual's freedom of speech. 'Doxxing is a contemporary and pernicious form of harassment involving publicizing private information of individuals on the internet, usually with malicious intent,' Albers said. 'It's a gross violation of your privacy, resulting in emotional distress, reputational damage, and, in many cases, physical harm. 'This bill takes a step in the right direction towards securing the digital safety of all Georgia citizens, and sends a clear message that Georgia will not tolerate online harassment,' Albers said. If the doxxing bill becomes law, the first conviction would result in a misdemeanor. However, the penalties could increase to an aggravated felony if there is significant harm caused to the victims or with subsequent violations. A person convicted of aggravated doxxing will be sentenced to one to three years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Sen. Sonya Halpern, an Atlanta Democrat, said she supports SB 27 because neither a public official or private citizen should be fearful of having their personal information weaponized against them. She said the legislation strikes a 'delicate balance of safeguarding freedom of speech while acknowledging the seriousness of the crime.' Georgia Recorder freelancer Maya Homan contributed to this report.
