Public Housing Could Soon Be Under Surveillance

From http://www.khon2.com/news/local/15975912.html



Public Housing Could Soon Be Under Surveillance
By Marisa Yamane



The Hawaii Public Housing Authority wants to install security cameras at all public housing projects throughout the state.

The money would come from tax payers.

It would cost several million dollars for the security cameras, money which the Hawaii Public Housing Authority is requesting from the legislature.

Advocates say the cameras would help deter vandalism and other crime, which would save the state money in the long run.

There are 68 public housing projects throughout Hawaii.

The largest is Kuhio Park Terrace, also known as KPT.

"Now we're putting in major modernization for our elevators so when we spend millions of dollars to do this we don't want these facilities to be damaged," said Chad Taniguchi, Hawaii Public Housing Authority Executive Director.

In the past, vandals have damaged the elevators and fire alarms at KPT.

As part of an overall solution to curb crime, Taniguchi wants to install security cameras at all of the state's public housing projects.

"This is something other public housing authorities have done quite well on the mainland, it's also something the private sector has done for many years now," said Taniguchi.

"It would be a good thing to monitor things because there's so much people here at KPT," said Tasha Esteron, Kuhio Park Terrace resident.

The Hawaii Public Housing Authority has requested $6.4 million dollars from the legislature for capitol improvement projects, part of which would be used to fix and modernize the elevators at KPT.

The rest would be used for security cameras.

"We're not talking about prying into individual homes we're talking about the common areas," said Taniguchi.

Areas such as lobbies, hallways, elevators, and parking lots.

"To prevent people who are not supposed to be there from coming and also to the extent some places there's drug deals so we can see who's coming in for drug deals," said Taniguchi.

"That's the only thing i'm worrying about because a lot of these people they destroy the cameras," said Jerome Faasu, Kuhio Park Terrace resident.

Just like they did in the past.

These cameras in the lobby of KPT were installed awhile back, purchased through grant funds, but the cameras no longer work.

Taniguchi says they would pay the extra money this time around to add vandal proof casings.

The cameras would be monitored by staff members.

"We've talked to the resident advisory board and most people are very supportive of it," said Taniguchi.

The Hawaii Public Housing Authority will find out in June if the legislature will grant the funds to install the security cameras.


Story Updated: Feb 25, 2008 at 10:25 PM HST