Training for new bike cops

Saipan will soon have cops on bikes.
In an effort to better patrol one of Saipan’s busiest villages, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is conducting a special training session this month for bicycle-mounted police.

Two police officers from the Sacramento Police Department started the training earlier this week. DPS is receiving support for their visit to Saipan from the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands (HANMI) and the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA).

“This is a pilot project that will start in Garapan,” said Police Major Clyde Norita.
“Not only will bicycle police be able to better serve this high intensity tourist area, but we look at it as a valuable program that will strengthen community relations.”

DPS expects the bicycle-mounted police to be able to maneuver through Garapan’s busy and narrow streets more effectively than a traditional patrol car. The new-look cops will also be expected to be more visible, approachable, and friendly to the Garapan community.

“We’re trying to foster better relationships,” explained Maj. Norita.

The program is part of a federal grant that provided money to purchase the bicycles and all the appropriate safety equipment. Norita also noted the extra help DPS received from other agencies to make the program a reality.

“The Marianas Visitors Authority arranged the air fare for our visiting officers and the Hotel Association generously donated the accommodations. Their support has helped to make it all happen.”

The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands has been at the forefront of pressuring the local government to clean up Garapan, so the organization was happy to help out by accommodating the guest officers.

“We feel that it is very important that Saipan maintain a reputation as being a safe destination for our visitors, so we are very pleased to assist with this important training,” said HANMI president Ron Sablan.
“As an association, HANMI has come out strongly in saying that we must do more to clean up the island, both environmentally and through public safety. We made a commitment to do what we can to help. This is just the type of action Garapan needs in order to improve the image of the village, and the image of our island.”

Mr. Sablan gave special thanks to the three hotels that are donating several weeks of rooms for the visiting policemen – the Hyatt Regency Saipan, the Hafadai Beach Hotel, and the Dai Ichi Hotel.

The bicycle-mounted police officers will begin patrolling the streets of Garapan around the first week of September. DPS plans to expand the project to the Kagman area and Tinian sometime later this year.