Crime has dropped on the West Side in the three months since a spate of deadly shootings prompted county, state and federal officials to flood the Waianae coast with law enforcement.

stabbing death of a 22-year-old Wendy’s employee following an altercation with a homeless man and the fatal shooting of four people after a long-standing conflict erupted between neighbors, they are murders that occurred despite the intensified efforts of law enforcement.

The Honolulu Police Department’s Major Incident Division is coordinating the West Oahu sting operation, which began with a press conference Friday afternoon, Aug. 16, following the shootings that left two people dead.

The division is responsible for assisting in the management of major events that exceed the capabilities and resources of patrol divisions, according to the department, and is also responsible for planning, coordinating and preparing for civil defense and homeland security operations.

Gov. Josh Green, who attended the Aug. 16 news conference with Mayor Rick Blangiardi, U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda and area lawmakers, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that his administration is committed to public safety by prosecuting those who breaking the law and ensuring responsible gun use.

“We will continue to review and advocate for laws that increase statewide public protections for all communities … We cannot simply wallow our way out of this matter. As an entire community, we must address the root causes of gun violence, starting in our homes, our schools, and in community and faith-based organizations, especially those that are youth-focused,” Green said. “Gun violence is a public. health issue as much as it is a public safety issue. A lot of people need universal access to drug treatment and mental illness treatment, because only someone with these issues would be part of a mass shooting.”

Between October 10 and November 5, Honolulu Police patrol officers, supported by reserve units and supported by overtime, made two felony assault arrests, two robbery arrests, two burglary arrests and three larceny arrests of cars, according to statistics kept by HPD. .

Officers made five arrests for weapons offenses, seven firearms arrests, three gambling offenses and issued citations for 105 traffic violations, 627 moving violations and 100 parking violations.

Other HPD elements and state law enforcement officers made 2,742 public contacts and issued 44 citations for moving or traffic violations.

In Oahu through Tuesday, violent crimes were down 4 percent compared to the same period last year, according to HPD statistics.

There have been 909 arrests for felonious assault so far this year, compared to 967 at this time last year. HPD officers arrested 727 people for rape, 536 for robbery and 23 for murder or manslaughter, according to HPD’s online dashboard.

This compares to 754 rape arrests, 543 robbery arrests and 22 murder arrests during the same time in 2023.

State Sheriff’s Deputies from the Department of Law Enforcement and officers from the State Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement (DOCARE), Federal Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives currently assists HPD in addressing all crimes in the 8th Patrol District.

Communications and operations are synchronized and focus on everything from gun crime to traffic enforcement to illegal gaming hall interdiction to breaking up drug trafficking organizations.

Capt. Clifford Ramson told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser in an interview that since law enforcement has flooded the West Side with resources and coordinated efforts, officials are seeing a “marked decrease” in violent and other crimes.

“Obviously there was a series of violent incidents that took place leading up to the creation of this operation. However, since the operation began in August … we’ve seen a sharp decrease,” Ramson said, noting that the officers and their state counterparts have helped patrol everything from the Waianae Boat Harbor to football games to a concert at a charter school.

DOCARE has been asked by the governor and mayor to provide support and assistance in Waianae, DLNR communications director Dan Dennison told the Star-Advertiser. DOCARE officers are stationed 24 hours a day at the Waianae Small Boat Harbor and also have responsibility for Kaena State Park, West Side sections and any public hunting areas in that region.

“DOCARE did not make any arrests, but was available to support HPD as backup when called upon,” he said.

U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors told the Star-Advertiser that her office continues to work closely with state and local law enforcement agencies to “address violent crime, including on the West Side.”

“Federal law enforcement agencies have a number of local law enforcement partners who are sworn in to serve as task force officers, who in turn work directly with (our assistant U.S. attorneys) to investigate and prosecute cases , from illegal possession of firearms by convicted felons, drugs. -related crimes and other federal crimes. Making the full range of federal tools available to our state and local partners remains a top priority of this office and is reflected in the cases we have brought in the federal criminal justice system,” Connors said.

Collaborative efforts between state and federal law enforcement resulted in more than “three dozen arrests, the seizure of numerous illegal firearms and the recovery of substantial amounts of illegal drugs.”

“All those arrested are now facing charges in federal or state court,” Connors said.

“ATF recognizes the role that firearms play in violent crime and is pursuing an integrated regulatory and enforcement strategy to address this,” said Jason R. Chudy, public information officer for ATF’s Seattle field office , for the Star-Advertiser.

DLE received $800,000 in federal funds to help prevent targeted violence statewide, and data from the Gun Violence Archive shows that from 2021 to 2023, Honolulu and Waianae had the highest number of gun-related incidents of weapons in Hawaii.

DLE is using the grant money to improve “targeted violence prevention training for nonprofits, public and private schools, and government agencies.”

The Special Operations Section of the DLE Sheriff’s Division conducts regular checks and has made at least half a dozen arrests for outstanding warrants since August 16 and “will continue to make arrests on outstanding warrants.”

Among those arrested by the state on outstanding warrants in September was Steven A. Smith, who was wanted on a no-bail warrant for violating his probation for felony convictions for assault, robbery, burglary and auto theft.

DLE has established a “Gun Tip Line” where citizens can anonymously report illegal gun possession or gun crimes by calling 808-427-4018.

DLE is planning a gun buyback day on the Leeward Coast after an Aug. 24 event at Aloha Stadium collected 514 unwanted guns in exchange for 531 gift cards worth $53,100.

“DLE will continue to work with the Department of Education. One of the goals is to establish confidence in law enforcement among our youth. Programs such as ‘lunch with law enforcement officers’ are in the works,” the statement said.

Law enforcement is also working with the DOE to increase safe spaces for children to go and improve after-school programs “in support of the DOE” while “stepping up” the DOE’s threat assessment team in the state and especially in Leeward District schools.

Tia Hartsock, director of the state Office of Health and Resilience Director, told the Star-Advertiser that state officials are working with elected and community leaders and other state departments in a “holistic, long-term effort to help develop well-being and resilience and to prevent violence on the Leeward Coast.”

“We are grateful to partner with the Department of Education and Waianae High School for upcoming school events for students and their families that provide opportunities for both hands-on education and positive connection,” Hartsock said.

In the long term, DLE is working to coordinate with the state’s “mobile alert system for emergency incidents such as mass violence.”

“These emergency communications would inform residents of emergencies, both man-made (and) weather-related — from an active shooter to a tsunami,” according to a statement.

Blangiardi’s office told the Star-Advertiser that the ongoing operation involves multiple law enforcement agencies, and HPD is leading the coordination effort.

“The mayor meets regularly with Chief (Arthur “Joe”) Logan on all HPD matters and receives updates on the ongoing effort. The mayor fully supports the collaborative efforts of city, state and federal law enforcement to address public safety concerns on the Waianae Coast and commends the coordinated approach and resources deployed to ensure community safety,” Scott Humber, Blangiardi Communications Director . , the Star-Advertiser said.