Hawaii Police Department
Office of the Chief
Lawrence K. Mahuna
Phone: 961-2244
September 11, 2007

Officers from the Hawaii Police Department will climb atop Safeway stores in both Hilo and Kona at 6 a.m. Thursday (September 13) to raise money for the Special Olympics.

The goal during the “2007 Cop on Top for Special Olympics” project is to stay on the roofs around the clock until 2 p.m. Saturday (September 15) while other officers and Special Olympics athletes collect donations at ground level.

Last year the two Big Island teams raised more than $40,000 for Special Olympics Hawaii, exceeding the previous year’s donations by more than $5,000. Police hope to exceed that this year.

This is the fourth year the Hawaii Police Department is sponsoring this event, which includes participation from law enforcement officers at the county, state and federal levels statewide. The fundraiser will include live radio broadcasts on KWXX, KAPA and KBIG.

“Cop on Top” is one of many activities that fall under the First Hawaiian Bank Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run.

The Special Olympics, modeled after the Olympic Games, provide a year-round program of training and competitive sports for physically or mentally challenged athletes.

For more information about “Cop on Top,” call Detective Darren Horio at 961-2385.