Appropriates funds to establish and continue the student crimestoppers program in all departmental school districts.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that after the drug free zone program developed the student crimestoppers anonymous tips line, student participation in reporting tips increased dramatically. In 2000, Crimestoppers Honolulu, Inc. report two hundred fifty-one arrests, nearly two thousand tips received, $140,771 in property recovered, and $91,840 worth of narcotics seized. Student crimestoppers tips rose from twenty-eight tips in 1999 to one hundred forty-one in 2000. Student crimestoppers members who participated in the student crimestoppers anonymous tips line report lower levels of obvious drug activity at their schools.

Participants at the 2000 state student conference expressed their concern that, despite the violent events that occurred at Columbine High School in April 1999 and at other schools in recent years, there have been no improvements to student safety implemented in Hawaii schools. They noted, however, that response to the drug free zone program has been positive and shows great progress. They urged continued enhancements and reinforcements in the future.

The legislature supports the 2000 Hawaii state student conference recommendation to establish the student crimestoppers program in all Hawaii departmental school districts to maintain a safe and secure environment in all public schools.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002 for the development, implementation, and continuation of student crimestoppers programs in all departmental school districts to allow students to take action against victimization and crime and to create a safe and secure environment in and around public school campuses.

SECTIN 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.