Off The Beat: Are Criminals Furloughed, Too?
If Thursday’s carjacking and shootout had happened today, how would we have gotten information from the Honolulu Police Department about what was going on?
Not easily, given that HPD’s public information officers are furloughed. Officials have made a big deal about the importance of furloughs not affecting people whose jobs affect public safety. That includes police officers and firefighters, but apparently not the police public affairs team.
Call its office, and this is the message you’ll hear: “The office will be closed on Friday due to city furloughs and reopened on Monday. Please leave a message and your call will be returned then.”
Send an email, and this is the response you’ll get:
“Aloha. 聽The Public Information Office will be closed on Friday due to city furloughs. 聽Emails and messages will be on [sic] checked on Monday. 聽We apologize for the inconvenience.” 聽
Are lawbreakers observing today’s furlough, too? Not likely.
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