Over 300 theft, robberies in FY 2023

The Department of Public Safety has released its community centric report breaking down the number of cases they have responded to in fiscal year 2023 and based on it, the department has responded to over 300 theft and robberies.

According to DPS’ community centric report, in fiscal year 2023, the department’s patrol section has responded to 351 thefts and robberies and 113 burglary and theft incidences.

The Saipan Tribune could not get DPS’ 2022 community centric report but based on its 2021 report, DPS responded to nearly 500 burglary and theft cases in 2021. Both years saw significantly less burglary and theft cases compared to 2020 when DPS responded to about 774 burglary and theft cases.

Meanwhile, the DPS patrol section has also responded to 1,098 disturbing the peace call, 184 assault and batteries, 29 assaults with a dangerous weapon, 24 sexual assault calls, 12 illegal possession of controlled substance reports, 329 other criminal calls, 332 non-criminal case, and about 3,766 non-active cases.

As for DPS’ highway patrol section, the department has responded to 428 auto crashes in FY 2023, 47 DUI cases, and three auto thefts.

DPS’ criminal investigation division has investigated about 1,994 of these cases with 295 of them being forwards to the Attorney General’s criminal division for prosecution.

In related news, DPS’ Boating Safety section has responded to a total of 19 cases in FY 2023, 11 of them being distressed vessels, one stranded canoe, one capsized vessel, two distress swimmers, one distress diver, and two overdue fishermen.

In an interview with DPS spokesperson Fred Sato, he shared that DPS has seen a large number of robbery and burglary cases as of late and he believes it can be attributed to the entire CNMI’s economic state.

“In my opinion, times are tough. People are desperate to survive. Of course, it is not the right way to go about this, burglarizing and stealing, but this contributes to the increase in these kinds of crimes. They are looking for a source of income,” he said.

Sato also noted that there is still a big drug problem on the island and that has also contributed to the increase in burglary and robbery cases.

“Of course there is also the big drug problem on the island, people will do anything to get money to score their next hit. They take advantage of those whose homes are not secured,” he said.

To deter burglars, Sato said if homeowners can afford it, they are encourages to get surveillance cameras to help catch suspects in the case that a burglary or robbery happens.

Also, Sato said having a good relationship with neighbors helps as they may also be vital in catching perpetrators should the need arise.