MEDIA RELEASE

Due to county furloughs, most police stations on the Big Island—except the main Hilo station—will have no civilian staff to assist the public on the first and third Fridays of the month from now through June 17, 2011. On those days, the public will not be able to

• Pick up police reports or traffic accident reports
• Register firearms
• Process applications for permits to acquire firearms
• Transfer firearms
• Access the public computer terminal (in Kona) for criminal history inquiries
• Request Fingerprinting services
• Receive over-the-counter and telephone assistance if all sworn police officers are out on emergency calls

At the main police station in Hilo, the Finance Office and the Traffic Services Section also will be closed on the first and third Fridays of the month. On those days, the public will not be able to process road closure permits or requests for special duty officers.

The Records and Identification Section in Hilo will be closed to the public on the following dates:

2010		2011
July 16	     	January 7
July 23		January 28
August 6	February 4
August 13	February 11
September 17	March 4
September 24	March 11
October 8	April 1
October 22	April 8
November 5	May 6
November 19	May 20
December 3	June 17
December 10	June 24

On those dates in Hilo, the public will not be able to:

• Request or pick up copies of police reports and other documents
• Register firearms
• Process applications for permits to acquire firearms
• Transfer firearms
• Access the public computer terminal for criminal history inquiries
• Request fingerprinting services

In addition to the lack of civilian staff on furlough days, the Police Department cautions the public to expect possible delays in clerical services on other days because of a likely backlog of worked caused by the absence of staff on furlough days. The Police Department will make every effort to process all paperwork as quickly a possible and asks for the public’s patience.

Please rest assured that dispatchers and police officers will work on furlough days and that emergency services will continue as usual.