HONOLULU (AP) — Instead of telling homeless people to move along, security officers at a Hawaii resort are sending services to those they find sleeping or loitering on the property. ADVERTISING HONOLULU (AP) — Instead of telling homeless people to
HONOLULU (AP) — Instead of telling homeless people to move along, security officers at a Hawaii resort are sending services to those they find sleeping or loitering on the property.
Outrigger Hotel and Resorts security referred at least three people in the last week to the Institute for Human Services.
Security guards are now engaging with the homeless people they find on resort property, identifying them and taking their picture before referring them for services.
Outrigger security director Jerry Dolak says some are angry when approached, but that in the last week, the pilot program has helped a man who urinated himself in front of guests, a woman found sleeping near elevators and a man who was going floor to floor asking for money.
“We don’t want to be the bad guy and tell people to go away,” he said. “If we can help them we’re going to help them.”
IHS Outreach Specialist Justin Phillips said, “We have an opportunity to step in, offer them some services, get them signed up for some housing, or get them employed.”
The program is being implemented at all 10 Outrigger hotels in Waikiki, and also serves to minimize accidents at the resort. Dolak said if someone sleeps on a parking garage floor and gets backed over, the resort is liable.
