Senior citizens volunteer to fight graffiti problem

A group of senior citizens yesterday vowed to spearhead the campaign against Saipan’s “serious” graffiti problem, which according to them is not doing good to the tourism industry.

Teddy Guiao, 76, told Saipan Tribune that he and at least six other colleagues at the Aging Center will contribute their time to clean government buildings being vandalized by erring youths.

Guiao and other man’amko expressed disappointment after finding that the wall in front of the Aging Center in China Town was also recently spray-painted.

“These children who are doing these vandalisms have no respect! They even spray-painted the Man’amko Center!” said Guiao, showing a picture of the wall.

On Tuesday, Guiao proceeded to Lower Miha housing in Garapan and took pictures of the many housing units littered with trash and filled with graffiti.

He said their group of senior citizens is willing to spend their time if the government cannot clean up the vandalized buildings in Lower Miha.

Guiao asked the business community to join their campaign by providing their group with paints and other materials so they can immediately start the beautification program.

The senior citizen urged the Department of Public Safety to arrest these juveniles, whom he described as “very abusive” in this time of economic crisis.

“What do you think the tourists will say if they pass by the Lower Miha and see these vandalized housing units?” asked Guiao, pointing to pictures of vandalized houses belonging to the Northern Marianas Housing Corp.

“Our group in the man’amko is going to stop this bad habit of some of our youth. Our lawmakers, teachers, and parents should work together to stop this problem once and for all,” he added.

Guiao said he visited Guam recently and was impressed that the government has been successful in dealing with the graffiti problem.

Last month, DPS, describing the graffiti problem on Saipan as “uncontrollable,” has stepped up its operation against vandals.

Patrol officers recently arrested one of three male juveniles who spray-painted the public restroom at the Susupe Beach Park. The two other male juveniles managed to run away from the pursuing police officers.

DPS Criminal Investigation Bureau’s Juvenile Investigator Vincent Mareham said patrol officers are now intensifying their patrols, particularly in dark areas in public places and parks.

Police said the penalty for vandalism ranges from five to 10 years in jail and a $500 fine or more.