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MVA revives assistance program for crime victims
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Posted on Jan 20 2000
The Marianas Visitors Authority board has set aside funding to revive the Victims Assistance Program in an effort to deter crimes against tourists.
According to Perry J. Tenorio, managing director of MVA, the program will allow off-island visitors who became victims of any crime to come back and testify in criminal proceedings against the perpetrators.
With the cooperation of the Department of Public Safety and other government agencies, Mr. Tenorio said MVA will be able to ensure the safety of visitors in the CNMI through this program. The fund will assist the Attorney General’s Office Crime Division in the prosecution and conviction of any person being pursued by the AGO.
MVA board chair Dave M. Sablan said such program is needed to maintain the CNMI as an attractive destination among visitors. “We don’t want these perpetrators to think they can get away with committing criminal acts against our visitors,” he said.
Kevin Lynch, AGO’s Chief of the Criminal Division, assured visitors that his office will do everything to ensure the prosecution of criminals on the island.
“Working in cooperation with MVA, the AGO wants to make it clear that they are committed to prosecuting crimes against tourists and that no criminal will escape prosecution just because the victim happens to live outside the Commonwealth,” he said.
Such program, he said, proves that the government is serious about promoting tourism by safeguarding visitors. The AGO, Lynch said, will enforce the law to its fullest extent to make the Commonwealth a safe, desirable and memorable place to visit.
“There have been cases where criminals feel that they can get away with the crime because the victims are off-island. We are giving criminals advance notice that the AGO will not overlook these crimes or fail to prosecute such crimes,” said Lynch.
