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Gov’t to step up drive vs crime
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Posted on Nov 15 1999
The arrest of 15 suspected prostitutes and pimps at a raid last Thursday night conducted by the Department of Public Safety in the Garapan tourist district is part of the government’s campaign to get rid the island of criminal elements.
According to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, his administration will step up anti-crime efforts to stem not just prostitution but other increasing unlawful activities in the CNMI.
“There are so many things going on in the island now and everything is our concern, especially if it is endangering the livelihood of our community here,” he said in an interview Friday.
Tenorio met with his key officials later that day to draw up plans to combat crimes in the Commonwealth in the wake of a resurgence in crime incidents, such as theft, robbery and snatching, over the past few months in areas like Garapan.
The Nov. 8 kidnap attempt on the son of garment factory owner James Lin while in school also has sparked fresh concerns regarding safety of island residents.
Last Thursday, 15 people, mostly Chinese, were rounded up by police and immigration agents in simultaneous raids of bars and karaoke clubs. This is the third operations launched by combined team of DPS and DOLI in Garapan.
“This is a never-ending process,” said the governor. “This is not only a one-time deal, although sometimes you don’t see people out there but the immigration and public safety personnel are always monitoring that area.”
Tenorio added that he would be discussing the anti-prostitution drive in his meeting with some of the administration officials, including Public Safety Commissioner Charles W. Ingram.
It was not known what transpired during the discussion, although the governor had previously said his administration would beef up security and boost efforts by authorities to combat crimes.
In recent months, cases of theft, robbery and snatching have risen which police attributed to growing drug use in the Commonwealth. Last month, some tourists in Garapan reported snatching incidents while walking in the streets even during daytime.
