Enhanced security coming to Aloha Stadium Swap Meet
Oct 31, 2024
HALAWA, Hawaii (KHON2) -- Additional staff, more surveillance cameras and theft prevention training make up part of what officials at Aloha Stadium said is a package of security implementations after a recent smash-and-grab at the Swap Meet.
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Aloha Stadium Manager Ryan Andrews said additional security cameras were installed to monitor the Swap Meet after thousands of dollars worth of jewelry was stolen on Saturday, Oct. 19.Making staff more visible is another action that was taken.
Oahu vendors want more security after brazen Swap Meet robbery
"Using vests and different uniforms as a kind of a show of presence to be a deterrent. We've added additional staff to monitor specific areas. We've also added security cameras," Andrews said.
Vendors said more security is top of mind after the recent brazen robbery -- a single police officer at the entry gate is not enough.
"I think so. I think there should be more security because we only have one policeman there but I think there should be someone like undercover or maybe something like that," Unique Gifts of Hawaii owner Liliani Muti said.
There are also roaming security officers in golf carts, but the Stadium Authority said they can only follow suspicious individuals and call police if needed.
"Those people is only checking on vendors, nothing about security that I know," one vendor said after the burglary. "Like, make sure we in the store, follow the rules."
The Stadium Authority said the security officers can file internal reports, but police reports need to be filled out by and submitted to HPD by the vendor.
Brazen robbery in broad daylight at Aloha Stadium prompts safety concerns
"On one occasion when one guy came and ran with our bag, but we ran after him and got it back," Muti said.
A training was held on Wednesday, Oct. 30 in collaboration with the Honolulu Police Department for all vendors to learn theft prevention techniques and team theft tactics, strategies for vendor booth layouts were also provided.
"And then also, more importantly, just how to report suspicious behavior and how to respond should they encounter a theft situation," Andrews said. "We are strongly trying to create a neighborhood watch type of a program with open communication between the vendors as, again, as a deterrent."
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Honolulu police said no arrests have been made in the Oct. 19 burglary and asks anyone with information to call HPD.