NEIGHBORS' COURAGE MAKES KEY DIFFERENCE

Sometimes it takes courage to make a difference. That's just what
happened in a Kalihi neighborhood. Residents living near an elementary
school there - fed up with drug dealers near the campus - chose to get
involved.

Their complaints to police sparked a seven-month undercover
investigation that resulted in the arrest of five men and two
17-year-olds on drug charges. Two of the five men arrested were also
wanted in connection with a robbery. And because four of the five men
were allegedly selling crystal methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of an
elementary school, they now face more severe penalties of up to 20
years in federal prison.

It's easy not to get involved. Fear of retaliation too often manages
to silence those who choose to look the other way. But as Honolulu
Police Department Maj. Kurt Kendro notes, these neighbors made the
difference in Kalihi. "Without the community's involvement, we would
never be able to solve the drug problem in our community," the officer
said.

Today, the kids at Kalihi Uka Elementary School are that much
safer.

And that should serve as a reminder that we all can - and should -
step up and do what it takes to make our community a safer and better
place to live.