Enforcement of overnight curfew begins

Roving roadblocks will stop all drivers who are still on the road

Reports about violations of public health emergency rules are topping the list of calls being fielded by police officers, who began enforcing Mayor Michael Victorino’s overnight curfew Friday night and were set to start roving roadblocks to check for violations tonight.

Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu said the 74 calls reporting emergency rule violations was the highest category of calls that required officers’ response in a 24-hour period ending Friday morning. The day before, when about 60 such violations were reported, it was the second highest category, Faaumu said. He said the volume of such calls has consistently been in the top 10 during the COVID-19 crisis.

“The public is calling,” he said. “That really puts a lot of demand on us.”

As of Friday, police had made about 10 arrests and issued 228 citations for violations since March 28. While most citations have been issued to people sunbathing, sitting or doing other unpermitted activities at beaches, police also have investigated reports of nonessential businesses — including vaping shops — being open, Faaumu said.

In other cases, he said people have reported gatherings of a dozen people or more at neighbors’ residences, requiring officers to sort out living arrangements involving ohana units on properties.

With police officers now working 12-hour shifts and some calls being handled by telephone, Faaumu said more officers are on the road and will enforce violations of the curfew that the mayor ordered to take effect from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, ending Monday morning.

During the curfew, which the mayor announced Thursday night, the public is prohibited from traveling in motor vehicles and other wheeled transportation, including bicycles, except for urgent medication, medical emergencies or essential business.

The curfew is a pilot project started to coincide with the Good Friday and Easter holiday weekend, Victorino said during his daily COVID-19 update Friday afternoon.

“We have received reports of nighttime gatherings and get-togethers,” he said. “Because this is a holiday weekend, we felt it was an urgent issue that we start the

pilot program this weekend.

“All we’re saying is stay home, don’t go out, please. The numbers are rising.”

On Friday, nine new COVID-19 cases were reported on Maui, including five from Maui Memorial Medical Center, bringing the Maui County total to 66, Victorino said. The number of COVID19 deaths on Maui rose to three, with the death of an elderly man who was in the critical care unit of the hospital, state health officials said earlier in the day.

Asked to elaborate on the nighttime gatherings, Victorino said, “I’m not at liberty to say where.” But he said some were in inaccessible or beach areas.

“So I think by having this curfew, it gives the police a lot more tools to work with for those late-night celebrants,” he said.

While the curfew was set to last three days, Victorino said, “I’ll evaluate next week with my team, and we’ll see if we need to continue or institute maybe even permanent curfews.”

Faaumu said police may get help from the National Guard to enforce the curfew if it is extended beyond this weekend.

He said officers have reported that traffic is generally light during the curfew hours. “Overall most people are complying,” he said.

In addition to patrol officers, DUI Task Force officers will be working their regular shifts during the curfew hours, Faaumu said.

Police traffic commander Lt. William Hankins said traffic officers have been seeing people out past 11 p.m. and have been making drunken-driving arrests, although the volume of traffic slows at that hour.

“It will be interesting to see who’s out tonight with curfew,” he said Friday. “The DUI crew will be watching for impaired driving. If people want to drink, then they best make sure they’re not driving impaired because we still hold zero tolerance for impaired drivers.”

Hankins said traffic officers have been issuing more warnings, as opposed to citing people for traffic violations.

“We truly understand people are scared and suffering,” he said. “Not having any income or knowing when you’re going to be allowed to make a living is no fun. We don’t want to make it worse, but we will ensure people driving are safe.”

Faaumu said police are continuing to respond to other crimes as well, with detectives, vice officers and the Crime Reduction Unit doing their regular jobs.

In a separate measure from the curfew, police are setting up roving roadblocks starting tonight to check vehicles for violations of emergency public health rules. All vehicles will be stopped at the roadblocks and drivers will be asked for their driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance, as well as reason for travel, Faaumu said.

He said a specialized unit of detectives, vice officers and juvenile officers will be running the roadblocks, which will be set up based on information from the state Department of Health about the location of COVID-19 cases.

The move follows the deployment of drones starting Thursday to make public announcements at beaches to warn people before officers sweep areas by foot or all-terrain vehicle, Faaumu said.

He said areas where violations have been found include the shoreline from Kaanapali to Kapaula and Front Street in West Maui, the shoreline from Wailea to Makena in South Maui, Hookipa Beach Park in Paia and Baby Beach in Spreckelsville.

By switching to 12-hour shifts and reassigning officers who were on smaller watches, police have increased the number of patrol officers on the road, Faaumu said. He said the move has helped with staffing, as some officers have gone into precautionary 14-day quarantine or have been told by doctors to stay home for shorter periods following exposure to someone with COVID-19 or someone under investigation for COVID-19. The exposures have been either through a family member or while responding to calls at work, Faaumu said. No officers have tested positive for COVID-19, he said.

By providing officers with personal protective equipment, “we were able to minimize days lost from these officers,” he said.

He said officers continue to use discretion in deciding whether to warn, cite or arrest those who violate emergency rules. “If this is the second or third time, we cite them,” Faaumu said.

A violation of the emergency rules is a misdemeanor carrying a penalty of up to one year in jail and up to a $5,000 fine. Those cited are given a date to appear in court.

“Of course, the goal is compliance and also to reassure the community we’re out there doing what we need to do to get us back to normal,” Faaumu said. “Anything to help get this community back to normal and help stop the spread of COVID-19 will be a plus. We don’t have a playbook for COVID-19 pandemic.”

Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com. “Of course, the goal is compliance and also to reassure the community we’re out there doing what we need to do to get us back to normal. Anything to help get this community back to normal and help stop the spread of COVID-19 will be a plus. We don’t have a playbook for COVID19 ” pandemic. — Maui Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu