Saipan has one of the lowest crime rate, survey claims

In an effort to allay fears regarding safety of the islands, CNMI authorities have beefed up security of tourists and visitors through programs aimed to combat crimes here, according to the administration.

A statement from the Public Information Office also trumpeted findings of a recent survey conducted by a Japanese publication that showed Saipan as one of the highest-ranked destinations in terms of safety.

The information came on the heels of a travel advisory posted at the website of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs cautioning Japanese travelers of rampant crimes of robbery, murder, drug use and smuggling in the Northern Marianas, especially Saipan and Rota.

Japan is the Commonwealth’s biggest source of tourists and investors, while the tourism industry is the backbone of the local economy.

But the PIO said Japanese travelers have listed Saipan as having the sixth lowest crime rate among 30 destinations based on the survey prepared by Japanese consumer digest publication Capital AB-ROAD and AB-ROAD WEST.

The publication polled 2,500 Japanese overseas travelers, according to the statement which did not release other details. Its findings were presented by Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Perry P. Tenorio at a recent meeting of the Strategic Economic Development Council (SEDC).

MVA at the same time released results of a survey the agency commissioned which revealed that 73 percent of the tourists said they would return to Tinian, 83 percent would come back to Saipan, and 90 percent would visit Rota again, the statement said.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, however, has stressed strenuous efforts must be maintained to protect visitors to the Commonwealth and their personal possessions, it added.

A report issued by the Department of Public Safety Commissioner Charles W. Ingram has shown that, in addition to existing visitor protection programs, other steps are being taken to aggressively combat crime against visitors, the statement said.

Among existing measures implemented is the recent installation of a DPS bike detail in Western Garapan. The bikes allow DPS officers to cover more area in a shorter period of time, increase visibility and provide a sense of safety and assistance to tourists, it said.

The new program has resulted in several arrests in the tourist district, it said.

Aside from this, DPS is instituting an undercover program and a crime reduction unit to patrol other main tourist sites such as Obyan Beach, Ladder Beach, Marpi and Banzai Cliffs, Bird Island and the Grotto to assist in apprehending criminals.

While MVA has already stationed security guards at three of the major tourist sites — Obyan, Lau Lau Bay and the Grotto — Gov. Tenorio has offered the assistance of the administration to fund another set of guards at three more sites.

DPS has likewise called on hotels to inform their security staff to increase vigilance for safety of guests and to provide friendly reminders to visitors that they must take reasonable precautions to protect their valuables, the statement said.

A new design has begun for a new Garapan koban to be shared by MVA and DPS in a bid to strengthen the islands’ image as a hospitable, safe destination, the PIO said in a separate statement.

SEDC Chair Scott Bowman, on the other hand, has recommended the formation of a private group to help finance the increased presence of DPS within tourist zones.