Repeat Criminals Could Soon Be Banned From Entering Certain Tourist Areas

Repeat criminals in Hawaii could soon be barred from entering several tourist areas.

That's because legislators and community leaders in Honolulu are considering a move that would keep those who consistently break the law from entering tourism districts, according to Hawaii News Now. It's an attempt by leaders to deter crime in business and tourism areas.

According to HB1502, "A defendant who has been convicted of a misdemeanor, has four prior misdemeanor convictions, and each conviction was the result of an act that occurred within a single business district or resort zoned area may be sentenced to a probationary term of geographic restriction not exceeding years during which the defendant shall be prohibited from entering the district or area in which the acts occurred."

If the bill passes and someone were to violate the mandatory geographic location ban, it would result in an additional misdemeanor charge and also land that person in jail for 30 days.

However, the bill does make exceptions for individuals who either live or work in the area where they committed the crime. If that were the case, they would be permitted to enter the area.

Additionally, while the bill was proposed with Waikiki in mind, if passed, the bill would encompass the entire island of Oahu.

The chair of the Waikiki Neighborhood Board, Robert Finley, who is supportive of the proposed legislation, told Hawaii News Now that something has to be done to deter those individuals from stealing from local businesses. He said, "We've still got a whole group of people who feel like it's their job to steal stuff from our convenience stores, to panhandle tourists, to threaten our residents. And I think HB1502 will help."

According to one Hawaii state representative, crime has gotten so bad that many residents fear that they could be next.

"We have families and senior citizens who are scared they are going to become victims," Representative Adrian Tam told Hawaii News Now.

Tam went on to say that he's supportive of the measure because the number of repeat offenders that have been arrested is high and is increasing all the time.

"Members of the patrol have found 85 repeat offenders all who have been arrested and cited in Waikiki and the number continues to grow."

Despite Tam's and other local leaders' support of the bill, others say such a move is not the best for the 51st state. State Representative Matt LoPresti told Hawaii News Now that enacting the legislation wouldn't make Hawaii look good.

"The last thing I think Hawaii wants to become is a place where there's certain enclaves where locals aren't allowed, regardless of the reason."

Hawaii's Attorney General Adrian Dhakhwa is also against the bill. Instead, he believes that such geographic restrictions can be settled in other ways.

"If geographical restrictions are not being recommended by the prosecutors that's an issue that can be addressed with the prosecutors." Dhakhwa went on to say, "If judges are not issuing geographical restrictions for these types of defendants that's also an issue that can be addressed separately."

Newsweek reached out to Tam for further comment but did not hear back before publication.