DPS COMMISH REQUESTS DONATION OF GUNS FROM HONOLULU PD

Police Commissioner William Haleck has made contact with the Chief of Police of the Honolulu Police Department, requesting a donation of firearms which otherwise would cost $400-$500 if bought new.

Haleck told Samoa News yesterday that his request is pending, as the HPD is in the process of transitioning to new weapons and as of yesterday, he was told that the matter is now before the City and Council of Honolulu whose members want to get something out of these guns, to help pay for new ones.

“It’s basically a ‘wait and see’ type of thing right now,” Haleck said. “The Chief of Police for the HPD says he will get back to me with an update on my request so all we can do now is wait to see if the donation will materialize.”

Haleck said he is content that he has been able to make contact with the HPD which employs about 2,000 cops - all armed with guns.

“I only asked for a donation of a couple hundred guns,” the Police Commissioner explained, adding that his goal is not to arm everyone in the Dept. of Public Safety but instead, get a high number of guns so there will be spare parts available if the weapons need to be repaired.

Haleck said the guns he is requesting are older ones and there are no parts available for them, not even from the manufacturers.

He said it would be the smart thing to do, to get the extra guns “in case something breaks down, at least we will have the parts to replace them.”

PROSPECTIVE CSBG APPLICANTS INVITED TO FREE WORKSHOP

All public agencies and non-profit organizations that are prospective applicants for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program FY 2015 funding are invited to attend an informative workshop set to be held tomorrow, July 3 at 10 a.m. inside the Dept. of Commerce conference room on the 2nd floor of the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building in Utulei.

DOC Director Keniseli Lafaele says the workshop is designed to assist prospective applicants in preparing their proposals for FY2015.

(The Dept. of Commerce is the lead agency designated to administer American Samoa’s CSBG program).

The workshop will cover technical aspects including the type of criteria used in the evaluation process. “It is recommended to attend this session in order to receive all the information necessary to write an acceptable application,” the DOC director announced.  “In accordance with strict CSBG ACT mandate, no project can be funded without a complete application” that meets the requisites of the CSBG Act.

DYWA GIVES MANU’A RESIDENTS CHANCE TO SHINE

For the first time, Manu’a residents will have the chance to show off their talents during a special event called, “Manu’a’s Got Talent” — spearheaded by the Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs (DYWA).

The one-day event will take place at the Manu’a HS gymnasium on Tuesday, July 15, the day before Manu’a’s Flag Day celebration.

DYWA Deputy Director Tapumanaia Galu Satele Jr. told Samoa News earlier this week that the talent show is not limited to singing but instead, is open to showcase any and all talents, including dancing, piano playing, etc.

Tentatively, a panel of judges that may include one Manu’a resident, a representative from the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA), a DYWA employee, and Lt. Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga, who is acting governor, will judge the show. All three will be in the Manu’a Islands for the celebration of the Manu’a Cession Day.

The competition is open only to those who reside in Manu’a and excludes people of Manu’a ancestry living in Tutuila and Aunu’u. Prizes will include $1,000 and a trophy for the first place winner, $600 and a trophy for second place, $500 and a trophy for third place, $300 and a gift certificate for fourth place, and $200 and a gift certificate for fifth place.

Manu’a’s Got Talent is one of the many spectacular activities planned by the DYWA in celebration of Youth Month, which kicked off yesterday with a special “Wave” at the Suigaula ole Atuvasa Beach Park in Utulei.

WPRFMC HOSTING SUMMER COURSE FOR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC) will be hosting a three-week summer course for local high school students interested in learning about local fisheries and marine resources.

Course instructor Louie Segi told Samoa News on Monday that the course is free of charge and so far, they already have eight kids signed up. The maximum number of participants is 15.

During the course, students will receive hands-on training in traditional and modern fishing methods including cast net, rod and reels, and spears.

Segi said they will be spear fishing for octopus, pole fishing using lures and bait, and they will even be demonstrating the throw net technique.

Participants will also be schooled on local fisheries and marine resources management, commercial and recreational fishing, as well as healthy seafood nutrition through cooking lessons with locally caught seafood.

In addition, students will also receive CPR certification and at the end of the program, they will be showing off everything they learned through PowerPoint presentations.

“The course will definitely provide an in-depth comprehension of marine life and conservation, as well as traditional and current fishing techniques,” Segi said.

‘TEENS AGAINST TOBACCO USE’ HOST FIRST OUTREACH AT MANUMALO

The Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU) Teen Teachers held their first outreach presentation at Manumalo Baptist School last Friday.

Students from Manumalo’s levels 6-8 had the chance to hear from youth volunteers who spent less than an hour discussing everything from the history of tobacco to the negative health effects caused by tobacco products, as well as the chemicals found in tobacco products, and the dangers of second hand smoke.

Two teens, both 15 years old, who spoke during the presentation talked about how they were pressured by friends to smoke cigarettes and how they were able to overcome it. They said their goal is to help local youngsters realize the dangers of smoking by sharing their story and encouraging them to just say ‘no’.

The goal of the outreach program is to raise community awareness about prevention education and expand the reach of the program to a larger audience.

The project is sponsored by the American Samoa Community Cancer Coalition and funded by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National REACH Coalition.

To date, TATU has trained and certified 14 teen teachers from local high schools.

SAMOA GOVT TACKLES THEIR DOG PROBLEM

Several members of the American Samoa delegation, who attended the Inter Samoa Talks last week, have suggested that American Samoa should adopt a move made by the Samoa government for families to have their dogs registered, and if they are not, then police will impound the dogs and penalize the dog owners.

The Samoa Canine Control Act of 2013 states that the first three dogs are to be registered at WST $5 each, however if there are more than three dogs, they will be registered at WST $10 apiece. The move by the Samoa government followed complaints from the public as well as tourists who have been bitten by dogs. Police Commissioner Fauono Talalelei Tapu told Samoa Observer that, “some of the kids are seriously injured, so this amendment protects the public — not only the tourists, but the public and the young ones.”

He said not only do dogs attack people, they also spread diseases. “We are trying our best to get the public to look after their animals and to feed them,” said Fauono.

The registration for all the dogs started two weeks ago in Samoa, where its required by law to have dogs registered at the Samoa Police Force. Under the law, Samoa residents must register their dogs otherwise they will be penalized or have their dogs impounded.

“A person who refuses or fails to produce evidence of registration of his or her canine when required to do so… commits an offense and is liable upon conviction to a fine…” the Act reads in part.

To register a dog, you must be 21 years of age or older and after registration, the dog will be given a collar with a number on it for easy identification of the owner.

The Samoa Government has also constructed a shelter at Tafaigata, where stray dogs will be kept and fed for six days. If no one claims the dog, then after the sixth day, the police will put the dog down.

According to government officials, members of the public are allowed to purchase dogs from the government shelter.

The Canine Act further says that a Canine Control Officer has the authority to seize by any means necessary any canine running at large and not wearing a required current registration mark. The officers may also sell or destroy any canine that has been seized and has not been claimed by its owner within four days of its seizure. They may also summarily destroy any canine found at large which has attacked any person or animal, or which the officer has reasonable grounds to believe may have attacked any person or animal.