KAPOLEI, Hawaii (KHON2) — Representative Diamond Garcia and the Ekklesia Neighborhood Security Watch group hosted a “Taking Back Our Community Meeting” in Kapolei.
The event comes after the community’s crime rate has significantly increased. Representative Diamond Garia’s office used the 7-Eleven robbery at Hoomaka Marketplace as an example of why events like these are important.
Residents were taught how to defend themselves using various knowledge and tools, including non-lethal weapons such as Burna Guns, Pepper Guns and more with a goal to restore a sense of security and peace within the community.
Our residents are fed up with the continuous cycle of crime and the lack of effective measures to keep criminals off the streets. We are taking proactive steps to ensure our community feels safe and empowered to defend themselves.
Representative Diamond Garcia (R) Varona Village, Ewa and Kapolei
Rep. Garcia said this event allows the community to “be proactive, not reactive” by providing residents the knowledge and equipment they need to protect themselves and feel safe.
“We need to stand up together to get our community back. Like I said, it’s tough. It’s not easy but we won’t give up because we live here. We come home to our communities and we want to make it safe,” said Patty Kahanamoku-Teruya, Kanehili Neighborhood Security Watch.
According to Honolulu Police Department data, since January there have been 236 reported cases of violent crimes in the district from Ewa to Kapolei and Waianae.
Organizers from Saturday’s event plan to take it to other neighborhoods around the island.