HANMI hails anti-prostitution drive

The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands yesterday lauded the Tenorio Administration’s efforts at curbing prostitution at Saipan’s red light district and urged government agencies to step up their anti-crime campaign without letup for the benefit of the tourists and the community in general.

HANMI President Ronald Sablan called the special task force created by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio last month, which aims to stop illicit activities in the Western Garapan area a “step in the right direction,” and an answer to HANMI’s calls for action.

“We extend our congratulations to the governor’s task force for doing a good job. Those involved in the flesh trade have no choice now but to lie low and be more discreet. That is because our law enforcers are finally cleaning things up in hotel row,” said Mr. Sablan.

Though the task force deserves recognition for their quick and effective action, HANMI warns that these activities are not going to stop, so authorities must be on alert for a possible shift from night to day or other alternate activities.

He said the blatant street solicitation and the peddling of escort services pose a “recurring headache” for hoteliers.

The mission of the task force, led by Attorney General Herb Soll, is to involve both the public and private sectors in the effort to rid Western Garapan streets of commercial sex workers, thieves, robbers, and other lawless elements.

A Department of Public Safety survey conducted from Sept. 2000 to Dec. 2000 reportedly listed prostitution as the most pressing concern in the area. Purse snatching, theft, sewage, and littering were also cited as among the concerns.

“It is very hard for us to put up with prostitution. Pimps posing as tourists rent a room in hotels and then go door to door, soliciting customers. And they do the knocking rather indiscriminately,” said Mr. Sablan.

“We hear of them plying their trade in hallways, not sparing even tourists who are with their families. Hotels have no choice but to increase their security, change elevator systems and all that, just to stop this modus operandi,” said the hotel industry leader.

According to Mr. Sablan, prostitution is projecting a real bad image for Saipan especially among honeymooners and family travelers, as it is getting more effective exposure than the overall promotion the CNMI is doing.

“Immediate government action is a welcome move. We ask the task force to continue their efforts more frequently,” he said.

Prostitution was made illegal in the Northern Marianas by law enacted in the early 1990s. Such a statute was recently strengthened by Public Law 11-19, which prohibits mere loitering in tourist areas for purposes of engaging in prostitution activity.