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Door-to-door operation targets on-base crime

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mike Meares
  • Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  In response to a rash of crimes ranging from petty theft and vandalism to grand larceny on base, officials engaged residents in a door-to-door, anti-crime campaign.

More than 100 members of the Joint Base Security Department teamed up with base leadership from throughout multiple units for the campaign in housing areas May 9, to remind everyone of basic security guidelines. Similar to a neighborhood watch program, Operation ENLIGHTEN II is an awareness program bringing together law enforcement, base officials and residents in a joint effort to provide protection for their homes, families and communities.

"Joint base leadership and base security personnel are committed to keeping the residents of the base safe and secure," said Lt. Col. Michael Gimbrone, 647th Security Forces Squadron commander. "By working together with members of the base community, we feel confident they can make a difference in reducing or even eliminating inappropriate behavior on the base."

This is the second year in a row for an initiative of this type. The door-to-door campaign was dubbed Operation ENLIGHTEN II, to highlight the primary purpose or informing Hickam Field residents of actions they can take to help from becoming a victim of crime. This was also an opportunity to advise residents of actions base leadership and security forces personnel are taking to keep the base secure.

"In regards to the rest of the island, the incidents we've had on base represent a relatively low number, comparatively," Gimbrone said. "As far as leadership and base security are concerned, even one incident of theft or other criminal activity is one too many."

According to officials, from vehicle and several motorcycles thefts, including many smaller items stolen to the illegal transport and use of drugs, leadership noticed a trend and decided to get in front of it before anything got out of hand.

"The base is relatively safe, and we want to keep it that way," Gimbrone said. "But with this recent spike in criminal activity, there are a number of initiatives that we as a security department and leadership have been taking to counter these incidents."

Operation ENLIGHTEN II is one such initiative to get the word out to base residents, reaching more than 2,600 people. Residents were made aware of new policies and reminded of standing guidelines with a knock on the door and a letter to read. The letter reaffirmed off limits areas on-base during the hours of darkness, reminded to secure vehicles at all times, and what numbers to call to report any illegal activity.

"There are things that you typically don't expect to happen while living on a military base," said Master Sgt. Tony Karpenko, 647th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels flight, a resident of the communities on base. "It kind of gives you a false sense of security when things like this happen here, around the corner from my house. I still enjoy living on base and the sense of community my family has here."

Karpenko also said he understands living on base is no different than living off base in regards to his families responsibility to remain vigilant in the community.

"Leaving kids toys laying out in the front yard, or not locking your house and vehicle doors invites people to take what they want," Michele Karpenko, wife of Master Sergeant Karpenko. "Having lived both on and off base in our careers does not give us a different sense of security one way or the other. We take responsibility of our things and do our part to report any criminal activity we see. I can say it's nice to see base leadership knocking on doors to let us know they are aware of the problems and are working to fix
them with the communities help."

As a result, base police have increased their patrols and enforcement efforts in the housing areas, to include off-limit areas during the hours of darkness, and appropriate actions will be taken against any identified violators of base regulations and Hawaii state laws.

"By working together, we can make a difference in reducing or even eliminating inappropriate behavior on our base," Gimbrone said.