Full Notification

 Hawai‘i Police Department
Hilo Community Policing Section
Community Policing Lieutenant William Derr
Phone: (808) 961-8849
 
Media Release
 
Hawai‘i Police Department's Community Policing Section extends a heartfelt mahalo to the non-profit organization Vibrant Hawai‘i, for their recent donation of two Tommy liftgates, one in Hilo and one in Kona. The liftgates, valued at $15,000, will enhance the Community Policing Section’s capability to manage emergency situations, such as delivering supplies and help maintain the general community’s safety. One liftgate has already been installed on a department truck in Hilo and the second one is expected to be installed soon on a department truck in Kona.
 
“We’re grateful to Vibrant Hawai‘i and its Executive Director Janice Ikeda for this generous donation,” said Lieutenant William Derr, of the Hilo Community Policing Section. “It enables us to offer services that were previously unattainable due to resource limitations,”
 
Vibrant Hawai‘i’s mission is to enhance the education, health, and overall well-being of the community, with a particular focus on youth development and leadership skills enhancement. Furthermore, the non-profit offers resilience hubs during times of community need, such as natural disasters, and coordinates housing opportunities for those who are less fortunate.

Derr said that the department has successfully partnered with Vibrant Hawai‘i on various projects in the past. Most notably, youth ambassadors from Vibrant Hawai‘i along with Community Policing Officers and the Hawai‘i Island Police Activities league (HI-PAL) came together to provide mentoring to at-risk keiki.
 
“We eagerly anticipate future collaborations,” said Derr, “and once again express our sincere thanks for their invaluable donation of the two Tommy liftgates.”
 
Those wishing to learn more about Vibrant Hawai‘i are encouraged to visit their web site. www.vibranthawaii.org.


Pictured from left to right: Officer Tyler Jelsma, Officer Darren Abalos, Janice Ikeda of Vibrant Hawai'i, Lieutenant William Derr.