HONOLULU (KHON2) — For years, West Oahu residents have been asking for more police officers. This week, Interim Chief Rade Vanic told the police commission more will be coming — permanently.
On Wednesday, July 17, Interim Chief Vanic laid out his plans, including adding more officers in District 9, which stretches from Ewa to Mauka.
“District 8 has one of the highest calls for service. So what I asked our support services bureau to do is start working with our District 8 major to add two more beats out there,” he said.
Interim Chief Vanic added that the Honolulu Police Department will send about 12 more officers to support patrol.
He said it would be a permanent addition, and some data supported the outcries from the community and elected officials.
“This is a huge win for the Waianae coast. I mean, think about it. This is something the community has been blazing the alarm on with needing more police presence. Check out this guy. First day on the job and boom, he wants to bring in 12 officers, out of recruitment and get them on the streets,” Sen. Samantha DeCorte (R) Ko Olina, Waianae, Makua explained.
Some officials are wondering why these changes could not have happened sooner.
“We had this the entire time and nobody thought otherwise? You go back to 2023 and every single letter to Logan, the Mayor, has been asking for some creative solution and they always said staffing. Now they’re looking at a new creative way for staffing. Were we not being told the truth? There’s so many unanswered questions, but I don’t want to take away from the excitement,” said Rep. Darius Kila (D) Nanakuli, Maili.
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KHON2 has reached out to HPD for additional comment, but has not heard back.