The Volcano Vacation Caper
What’s more natural than tourists with cameras in Volcano? We live in a photogenic place so camera toting tourists blend into the scenery like just so much uluhe. We see them but we don’t see them. We know they’re here but we don’t pay much attention unless they’re rubbernecking on the road or dominating the parking lot at the upper store. They stay at any number of B&B’s, walk or drive around, snap a picture or two, smile a lot, and buy stuff.
When we suffer property crime, they probably do, too, and maybe more so because they’re the ones with cash and gadgets on the go. But what if they were the thieves? What if the tourists turned the tables on us while we were away at work or school and looted our homes and businesses? What if there were organized tourist gangs preying on popular tourist towns?
Sounds farfetched, doesn't it? I mean, organized traveling thieves masquerading as tourists would be ludicrous. Nobody can be that good. They’d have to live here in order to know how vulnerable we are. They’d have to know our schedules and patterns to be as successful as they been over the years.
Well, here’s the deal. They do. Live here, I mean. “They” aren't real tourists, they just play the role the way tourists do with their regalia of cameras, sunglasses and smiles all the while snapping photos of our landscapes and homes, walking into our yards, smiling, chatting up anyone who challenges their presence, showering compliments about lovely gardens, quaint houses, etc.. And now, we’re on to them. Especially those pairs of women who fit the aforementioned description.
How did we learn about them? By sharing stories of what happened to us or our neighbors. That’s how we learned about these pairs of women casing our homes so that the thieves they dispatch gain easy entry. Although we can’t put a face on these women, we now know the routine so we’re telling you to be more vigilant and continue sharing those stories so we can paint a better picture of what’s happening.
One family came home to an open back door two days in a row last week, inspected every inch of their home both times but found nothing missing. Why would someone break in but take nothing, all the while leaving obvious clues that they were there? Ah, but when we recall the tourists with cameras, the equation becomes a little clearer. They took pictures. Pictures of valuables they wanted for themselves. They also took pictures of statements from the bank, credit card providers and Social Security, and that can only mean one thing: identity theft.
I Googled ID Theft and in addition to many fee-for-service links, I found two free ones worth a peek. First from California - http://www.privacy.ca.gov/sheets/cis1english.pdf and secondly from Hawaii http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/quicklinks/id_theft_info/
With the rise of property crime in paradise I have to wonder how much we Volcanites can take before we either retaliate or leave. Educated as we are, I tend to think most of us will leave before breaching social mores by becoming vigilantes, but maybe the thieves count on that. I say, let’s be strong and hold on to what is ours. Let’s strive to be better neighbors for our mutual benefit.
- Tom Young
The Volcano Vacation Caper (update)
Here' s a description of the two women reported in The Volcano Vacation Caper, just in case you thought it was fictitious:
Late thirties to mid forties. One dark hair, one light, both about 5'6" and a little "chunky." Both walked to the house saying they were staying at a B&B "up the street." They asked to take pictures of the house but neighbors refused saying they were not the tenants - to come back when the tenant was home. The pair then asked when the tenant would "not" be home? Before leaving, the pair stopped by an orchid near the garage and took a picture of it despite being told not to do so, then walked away.
Apparently they were witnessed by yet another neighbor and we're waiting for that description as well. If it differs, watch these pages..
May 2007
Make your own “slow down” for motorists sign? Yes, you can! The County does not provide them to you although a home made sign or the unusual sign may garner more attention. Be sure to post them on your own yard leaving space for the roadway easement.
Stand corrected. Not all Volcano County roads were newly paved; mainly the Village and VGCC. Ohia Estates & Royal Hawaiian Estates are also County maintained roads. For privately maintained roads the same easement rules apply because it is still public access.
When an abandoned/inoperable car is left in the easement of any public access road the Police may be called to cite the car for warning & removal. Report these vehicles when needed.
The NHW newsletter article is now changed for each subdivision to have input! Each Subdivision coordinator or designee may submit their own articles observations/information, Due 1st of the Month to: webmaster@volcano-nhw.com Tom Young will combine & forward to the monthly newsletter. Each area has unique & rural security concerns to be addressed! Each Coordinator is encouraged to have more direct input and communication with the Police Dept. & the assigned Community Policing Officer. Look for upcoming information for each Subdivision at www.volcano-nhw.com It’s an autonomous opportunity!
The con game. Received two phone calls; each from brave women. One had learned long ago that a certain person thought threats could protect him. The reality of “hot air” is that eventually it dissipates and cowardliness is exposed. Stand up for yourself and remember those letters to the Judge count! Call the Prosecutors Office for the Judge/date to write letters regarding arrested/charged persons, pro or con. Another woman learned the hard lesson of the love/con that many fall prey to. Red flag – “Don’t talk to anyone”. An abuser wraps victims in fear and isolation. When a background check was finally done, this man, wanted in Washington, was deported back to Germany where security laws will prevent him from ever bothering anyone here again. Lost are her health, money, possessions & naiveté. She has paid her debt to society by calling authorities and standing up to break out of that web expertly weaved. For that we bought her a ticket home.
Next Volcano Neighborhood Watch meeting June 13th, 6:00 pm Cooper Center. Mahalo for reading these past years. See you there!
- Kathy Rigg
ANOUNCEMENT
New or replacement Neighborhood Watch signs have been installed at the following locations:
Royal Hawaiian Estates: Corner of Alii Kane and Alii Papa. (**see note below)
Hawaiian Orchid Isle Estates: Corner of Alii Kane and Huakai (new); Corner of Puolani and Huakai (replacement).
Ohia Estates: Nahelenani near OVR (new); Corner of OVR and Liona (new).
Mauna Loa Estates: Corner of Nahelenani and Jade (replacement).
Volcano Village: Wright Road before Skateboard Park (new); Iiwi Road and Maile (new)
** There already is a sign on Alii Kane just in from the hwy but it is battered and the nut & bolt assembly is rounded and impossible to remove with a crescent wrench. Furthermore, the post to which it is attached is bent and its concrete footing has been jarred from the ground. The new sign's location is less than ideal but it was the best I could do under the circumstances.
The sign on Pi'i Mauna just before Pukeawe in the VGC is corroded in place.
There are several other areas where worn or battered signs remain corrosively fixed in place as well. Hopefully, some enterprising individual will take it upon themselves to remedy the problem.
Other locations that looked like a good place to post a sign were: OVR near the school as one enters the Village from the hwy; Kalanikoa just off OVR; Corner of Pearl and OVR; Corner of Lehuapele and Alii Papa between Fern Forest and Hawaiian Orchid Isle Estates. The problem with those locations is that there are no posts upon which to affix signs or posts are misshapen.
April 2007
Wright Road - 25mph. Are you speeding? Stop and look next time and remember to slow down. There is rising concern over speeding, attempted racing (yes, you Mr. shocking green car) & off road ATV’s. Wright Road is used by many walkers and is the site of the new children’s playground! Residents, feel free to post your own yard sign requesting a slow down when drivers are forgetting about the speed limit on your street.
Victory! After a six year battle against the organized cockfighting lobby, new Federal legislation makes animal fighting completely outlawed and a Felony Offense in all States.
Tell it to the Judge! When an individual is arrested & charged that means the case is going before a Judge. Letters to the Judge are considered highly when sentencing. Call the County Prosecutors Office to obtain the Judge /Date for the individual you may have concerns about and start writing! You may CC that letter to other County officials.
New Neighborhood Watch Street signs are available from the County to be installed by volunteers onto existing posts esp. on private roads. What the difference is between privately maintained vs. private access roads? All County roads in Volcano have been repaved in the last 2 yrs. All roads in Volcano are public access unless otherwise marked and noted with the County for private access only. That means dogs cannot hold domain over roadways. There are still complaints about certain households in Mauna Loa where walkers and their leashed pets have been accosted while enjoying a public road as they pass by.
“Call in What you see at the Time you see it” – Hilo Police 935-3311. Visit www.volcano-nhw.com Scroll down for reports & click on the “Family Watchdog” icon. Google Earth is now interfaced w/ the sex offender registry! See the reported residences of offenders marked & mapped from the birds eye view anywhere in the U.S. Volcano has (1) registered. Tell your friends - Megan’s law is now high tech. It’s your right to use it!
Many have volunteered to Patrol or are just plain good Watchers for their neighborhoods. Call 937-2322. Police use your clues as evidence when building cases. What can you do to protect your home? 1.) Know your neighbors & discuss these topics! 2.) Install beefed up deadbolts, window lock systems & use them. Have a professional assess your home. 3.) Install a security system. 4.) Use timers for lights, radios and TV’s. 5. Document ID your belongings. Keep checks and account information in a safe location. 6.) Use motion lights to alert. Volcano NHW meeting June 13th 6:00pm Cooper Ctr. You may call 937-2322 for NHW or email kathy@ronrigg.com. NHW bulletin boards are posted at the Volcano Village corner Store and Cooper Ctr. next to the Police Substation door. Post what You have to say.
March 2007
“Call in What you see at the Time you see it” – Hilo Police 935-3311. Our NHW community mission is working based on the number of reports made. Good job! Don’t be bashful. Write down those license plates or any description. Let people see Police in the area as much as possible. February has proved to be a much quieter month, 1 burglary, in light of recent activity. Some offenders have reportedly left the area. It’s a good time to regroup and reassess. Could burglars be plotting? On a Sunday Feb 18-5:00pm a Village resident on Kilauea Place reported a large white “work truck” parked & (2) males in hooded sweatshirts running out between the woods and a yard. Later a dark van w/males parked to discuss matters with the “hoods” although left before police arrived. Feb 20-2:15am (2) males in dark jackets set off a motion light appearing to case out the same home. You may read a full account of both incidents on the website (volcano-nhw.com). Scroll down for reports & click on the “Family Watchdog” icon. Google Earth is now interfaced w/ the sex offender registry! See the reported residences of offenders marked & mapped from the birds eye view anywhere in the U.S. - Volcano has (1) registered. Tell your friends - Megan’s law is now high tech. It’s your right to use it!
Please put in your request for NHW street signs or refresh for those needed. Officer Yamada is checking into the County budget or we may be paying for them out of our charitable fund held with Cooper Ctr. Public Works will install. New magnetic car patrol signs are available. Some patrollers just park/walk & watch. That’s good too! Patrol training will be provided by Officer Greg Yamada at the April 11th NHW 6:00 meeting. All Patrollers & members please attend! Many have volunteered to Patrol or are just plain good Watchers for their neighborhoods. Call 937-2322. Police use your clues as evidence when building cases. What can you do to protect your home? 1.) Know your neighbors & discuss these topics! 2.) Install beefed up deadbolts, window lock systems & use them. Have a professional assess your home. 3.) Install a security system. 4.) Use timers for lights, radios and TV’s. 5. Document ID your belongings. Keep checks and account information in a safe location. 6.) Use motion lights to alert.
Next “Puna Watch” is April 9th 6:30 pm Keaau Courthouse. Volcano NHW meeting April 11th 6:00pm Cooper Ctr. You may call 937-2322 for NHW or email kathy@ronrigg.com. Visit www.volcano-nhw.com Use the “report incidents” button. NHW bulletin boards are posted at the Volcano Village corner Store and Cooper Ctr. next to the Police Substation door. Post what You have to say!
Put your car keys beside your bed at night
If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator.
Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Just press the panic alarm on your car key chain. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break in your house, odds are the burglar or rapist won't stick around.
After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. Try yours to make sure it works before you rely on it. Just know that you must press the alarm button again to turn it off. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there.
This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.
