Question: There have been at least four former public school employees who have admitted to stealing tens of thousands of dollars of school money. Sentencing of these and other criminals often involves no jail time. Rather they are given probation and ordered to perform community service. What is the nature of community service? Someone ordered to perform 1,500 hours of community service could certainly make a difference. Who monitors these services?
Answer: The state Judiciary’s Adult/Juvenile Community Service Work and Restitution Unit (formerly the Community Service Sentencing Branch) oversees court-ordered community service.
Community service is imposed on defendants who “do not pose significant risks to the community,” as covered under Section 706-605.1 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes.
We explained previously that judges impose community service as a straight sentence, a condition of probation or deferral, an alternative to a fine or incarceration, or as part of a combination of sentences (see is.gd/0wgWLZ).
In the First Judicial Circuit, which covers Oahu, defendants can be placed at one of about 300 work sites/agencies.
“The type of work that our offenders perform varies, depending on the needs of the agency,” said branch supervisor Faith Matsukawa.
Examples include labor, such as sweeping, mopping, raking, cleaning, emptying trash, working on a farm, setting up/cleaning up at various functions; office duties, such as answering phones, filing, copying, typing, stuffing envelopes, being a receptionist, mailing; computer-related tasks, such as programming, word processing, data entry; assisting with various special projects, including fundraisers; general maintenance, such as yardwork, planting, farming, masonry, carpentry, painting; greeters; arts/crafts; food preparation and meal service; and working in thrift shops.
Matsukawa said she also recalls architects who were placed at the Honolulu Zoo, using their professional skills to help design plans for the facility.
During interviews, a defendant may have a say on where he or she is placed. However, the court officer makes the final determination.
Several factors are considered in assessing where the community service work will be performed, including the defendant’s current and prior offenses, any physical or mental health concerns, residence and job locations, skill level and transportation, Matsukawa said.
Ten years ago, it was estimated that the value of community service work performed amounted to about $1 million a year. No current estimate was available.
Question: Who do I call to report crowing roosters?
Answer: Royos Farm is still the city’s contractor for handling nuisance chickens/noisy rooster complaints. The phone number is 783-8199.
We reported in December that the current contract was extended until July. The city is reviewing “several proposals for the crowing rooster and feral chickens program.” Until then, Royos Farm will respond to complaints.
Mahalo
To all the people who helped after my wife fell and broke her arm while walking near Diamond Head State Park on the second day of our vacation.
We had arrived in Honolulu on May 15 to spend a week celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. We want to thank the emergency medical services people who arrived within minutes of the accident. They were professional and competent but also used humor to help calm my wife. We also want to compliment the emergency room staff at Straub Hospital and Dr. Weldon, who examined her. The treatment she received helped us to continue and enjoy our vacation. — Michael Rafferty, Las Cruces, N.M.
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