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DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES News Release LINDA LINGLE GOVERNOR _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PETER T. YOUNG, CHAIRPERSON
Phone: (808) 587-0401
Fax: (808) 587-0390
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For Immediate Release:
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HONOLULU - The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has established a new statewide enforcement telephone number and launched a new 24-hour enforcement call system that will allow the public to report violations of state natural and cultural resources laws. This live answering system will help improve the receiving, reviewing and referring of enforcement calls. “We appreciate the hundreds of residents who take the time to report potential violations or illegal activity on state lands or in our oceans,” said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson. “This new statewide telephone number and the 24-hour enforcement call system will enhance our ability to continue to work with the public to protect our natural and cultural resources. This new system will allow DLNR to obtain more accurate and timely information that will help us identify where illegal activity may be taking place and where our limited enforcement resources could be better concentrated.” Effective immediately, the DLNR enforcement phone number is 643-DLNR (643-3567). This is an easy-to-remember, single statewide toll-free number that can be called from regular phones, as well as cell phones. In addition, DLNR initiated a 24-hour live answer enforcement calling system. During working hours, (Monday – Friday 7:45 am - 4:30 pm), calls to the enforcement number (643-DLNR) will ring at the respective district office for the County where the call is placed. After hours, weekends and holidays, calls will be directed to a central O’ahu-based answering service. Callers will be prompted to provide as much detailed information as possible to assist enforcement response. In human emergency situations callers should always immediately call 911 to seek emergency assistance. As part of the initial stage of this program, all calls received by the O’ahu-based answering service will be transmitted to the appropriate DLNR-Enforcement island office at the start of business the next day. This new system will make DLNR-enforcement more accessible to receiving public reports of violations. DLNR is also in the process of assessing the feasibility and cost of having enforcement officers on the job 24-hours a day on each island. The Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) is responsible for enforcement activities of the DLNR. In 2006, the division consists of 100 regular conservation resource enforcement officers (CREO) and 20 volunteers. The division, with full police powers, enforces all state laws and rules involving state lands, state parks, state small boat harbors and ramps, historical sites, forest reserves, aquatic life and wildlife areas, coastal zones, conservation districts, state shores, as well as county ordinances involving county parks. The division also enforces laws relating to firearms, ammunition and dangerous weapons. DOCARE receives emergency calls from county police and fire departments, to assist in search and rescue operations and various other incidents.
IMPROVED DLNR ENFORCEMENT CALL SYSTEM 643-DLNR DLNR’s new Enforcement phone number is 643-DLNR (643-3567). This is an easy-to-remember, single statewide toll-free enforcement number that can be called from regular phones, as well as cell phones. This system will help improve the receiving, reviewing and referring of enforcement calls. 24-HOUR CALL ANSWERING SYSTEM DLNR has instituted a 24-hour call answer system that will allow the public to report violations of state natural and cultural resources laws any time of the day and any day of the week and reach a live answer. During working hours, (Monday – Friday 7:45 am - 4:30 pm), calls to the enforcement number (643-DLNR) will ring at the respective district office for the County where the call is placed. An O‘ahu-based answering service will pick up incoming calls after hours, weekends and holidays. Callers will be prompted to provide as much detailed information as possible. The detailed information provides the ability to have a comprehensive report at the very start of an investigation. For human emergencies callers should immediately call 911 for emergency assistance. As part of the initial phase of this program, all detailed reports will be transmitted to the appropriate DLNR-Enforcement County office at the start of business the next day for response. DLNR’S Division Of Conservation And Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) The Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) is responsible for enforcement activities of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The division, with full police powers, enforces all State laws and rules involving State lands, State Parks, historical sites, forest reserves, aquatic life and wildlife areas, coastal zones, Conservation districts and State shores. Through cooperative enforcement agreements, DLNR’s enforcement officers are trained, equipped and federally deputized to patrol offshore, near shore and dockside in DOCARE patrol boats and vehicles, to enforce both state, and federal laws and regulations. DOCARE also enforces laws relating to firearms, ammunition and dangerous weapons. Currently, there are 100 regular officers (and 20 volunteer officers) throughout the State. DOCARE Officers are empowered to issue citations and arrest alleged violators. DOCARE also receives and responds to emergency calls from county police and fire departments, to assist in search and rescue operations and various other incidents. DOCARE has primary responsibility for resource enforcement in the State, covering: DOCARE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH DOCARE coordinates the statewide Hawaii Hunter Education Program which provides free classes year-round on all islands, taught by volunteer instructors, to educate hunters and resource users in becoming responsible, conservation-minded and safety conscious. DOCARE officers also are an important part of DLNR’s education outreach to the public, through visits to classrooms to speak to school children, participation in public fairs, conducting community information forums at state parks, forests, beaches or harbors to inform users about rules for safety and to protect natural and cultural resources; and while on patrol
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