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HPD Officer death/Media spin

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  • HPD Officer death/Media spin

    I'm sure most people here have heard about HPD Motorcycle Officer Chad Morimoto getting killed in an accident while training in Mililani a couple of weeks ago. In the light of that tragedy, people in that community raised very legitimate concerns about that incident.

    Neighbors Question Need For Speed At HPD Crash Site

    While fellow officers continued to mourn the loss of 39-year-old police officer Chad Morimoto, neighbors who live near the crash site that took his were questioning the need for high speed police training in residential areas on Tuesday.

    Children at nearby summer fun camps were visibly shaken after the accident, crying to officers that showed up to console them and talk with them about their grief. The motorcycle crash that killed Officer Morimoto during a training exercise on Monday happened near Mililani District Park, where dozens of kids were playing at the time.

    "It was surprising because you would think the Police Department would have certain areas designated for that kind of training," said Rosie Lucas, a Mililani resident. "And a residential area wouldn't seem appropriate."

    Kevin O'Donnell, who lives on Lanikuhana Avenue, says that officers made two laps around the block at speeds that may have been two to three times the posted 25 miles per hour speed limit.

    "It sounded like Nascar ripping by the house," said O'Donnell.
    After the publication of this story, one would think that an investigation would be opened up as to who authorized this kind of high-speed, potentially dangerous training in a residential area where many children were close by. About now, you would expect some major sweating is taking place over at HPD HQs.

    But along comes this unusual development. And notice what the HPD response is.

    HPD personnel outraged at apparent insult left at roadside memorial for fallen officer

    Honolulu Police officers are expressing outrage over an apparent insult left at a roadside memorial for fallen HPD officer Chad Morimoto.

    Morimoto is the 39-year-old solo bike officer who was killed last month during a motorcade escort exercise in Mililani.

    A speeding ticket issued by Morimoto just hours before his death was placed by someone at Morimoto's makeshift memorial.
    The speeding ticket was issued to a woman driving along Moanalua Highway. The ticket was found the day by an HPD officer who was visiting Morimoto's memorial site.

    Hawaii News Now was not able to reach the woman to get her side of the story.

    Police officials say the act may not violate any laws. They're also not sure if the woman placed the ticket at the memorial herself or if someone else put it there.

    However, many of Morimoto's comrades want to get to the bottom of this story.
    Okay, so the female motorist who apparently left the ticket at the officer's makeshift memorial is an insensitive lout. But why do officers want "to get to the bottom of this story?" What will that accomplish? Are they going to get even with her? Are they going to harass her in any way? We all know that this kind of stuff won't happen. It doesn't appear as if this woman's actions violated any laws. And if it somehow did, I can't imagine the punishment being anything more than a small fine.

    An unusual story, indeed. But one that is relatively inconsequential to what should be the bigger concern in this whole matter: Who authorized the high-speed police motorcade training in a residential area? Who decided to conduct the training in a vicinity where many children were present at the time? What was the rationale in conducting this training in a public roadway rather than in a private, controlled environment?

    Will the local media outlets be seeking the answer to these vital questions? Or will they allow themselves to be distracted by a wild goose chase which results in nothing of consequence happening?

    It will be interesting to see.
    This post may contain an opinion that may conflict with your opinion. Do not take it personal. Polite discussion of difference of opinion is welcome.

  • #2
    Re: HPD Officer death/Media spin

    Originally posted by Frankie's Market View Post
    Okay, so the female motorist who apparently left the ticket at the officer's makeshift memorial is an insensitive lout. But why do officers want "to get to the bottom of this story?" What will that accomplish? Are they going to get even with her? Are they going to harass her in any way? We all know that this kind of stuff won't happen. It doesn't appear as if this woman's actions violated any laws. And if it somehow did, I can't imagine the punishment being anything more than a small fine.
    Her actions were lower than being an insensitive lout. That's being the scum of the earth. But, if her name isn't mentioned. The possibility of this unknown person is used as a conspiracy scapegoat to keep your eyes off the ball of dangerous training methods.

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    • #3
      Re: HPD Officer death/Media spin

      Grossly insensitive but, as the article states, it's still unknown who placed the ticket in that location. Innocent 'til proven guilty perhaps?

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