Police are currently investigating a curious case of email fraud in Hawai'i County. An invitation went out, falsely suggesting that Mayor Mitch Roth's home was open grounds for the island's houseless population to camp out. The email, which was reportedly sent to Habitat for Humanity Hawai'i Island's general inbox, promised a five-day stay complete with meals at the Mayor's residence.
The faux invite described in detail what was expected: "Bring all your friends & tents and no need to knock. The house is yours for 5 days. Please shower in the house when you arrive." This information, cited by the Big Island Now, has raised concerns regarding the security of public officials and the potential misuse of their personal information.
Hawai'i Island Police Chief Ben Moszkowicz expressed his dismay about the situation to Big Island Now, stating, "It’s troubling someone would think to do this." As a result, officers have been dispatched to watch over Mayor Roth's property.
A parallel report by Hawaii News Now further elaborates on the consequences of such pranks. Mayor Roth, concerned for his and his family's safety, said, "When you do these kinds of things, you’re not only impacting the person, you’re doing it to the public servant myself, but you’re also putting my family as a target."
Mayor Roth, who notably cited a 28% decrease in homelessness in his State of the County address, has not been deterred by this incident. Despite the criticisms he has faced for enforcing park rules and the pace of government action, progress in tackling housing and homelessness has been at the forefront of his tenure. This commitment aligns with Roth's statement to Big Island Now: "My job is to serve the public."
