Social networking on the Internet may not only be used purely to connect with friends and loved ones but it could also be used as a tool to curb crime in the community, according to Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan.
Rephrasing the adage “You cannot outrun a radio,” Demapan said these days criminals are learning they cannot outrun e-mails, Facebook, or Twitter either.
Demapan urged the CNMI's community corrections professionals to set up a special Internet system that would help them do their jobs better at curbing crime.
“Let me suggest something for you to explore, and we need to try and innovate because, as you know, our economic situation is not getting any better,” Demapan said. “Set up a special Internet system to improve what we have. Let's explore the use of these technologies by using any available federal grants to combat crimes and criminal activities.”
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial expressed support for the idea.
Demapan and Fitial were at the CNMI Supreme Court yesterday to jointly sign the proclamation for the 9th Annual Probation, Parole and Community Officers' Week on July19-25.
Community corrections professionals are responsible for supervising adult and juvenile offenders.
Fitial said this is the first time in the CNMI that two branches of government are signing a proclamation at the same time.
Demapan said these officers “are heroes and beacon of lights in a sometime dangerous world, a select few who are capable to use intellect, compassion and the use of force when necessary.”
Their role, he said, is to “prevent the tyranny of the lawless and to preserve the freedom of the law abiding.”
“The safety of our streets and the safety of our communities is one of the highest priorities we share,” Demapan said.
As criminals get more sophisticated, Demapan said the officers must also be properly equipped to combat them.
“By giving you the resources and the tools to do your jobs better, not only will you keep us safer, we will make the entire Commonwealth safer and stronger for our future,” Demapan said.
He also reminded the officers that they took their present job to protect their family, friends and neighbors.
“To be honest, it goes against human nature to head toward danger instead of away from it, but I am glad our Commonwealth is blessed with folks like you who place such a high value on the lives of others,” Demapan said.
He also thanked Fitial and Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos for signing into law the bill that allows the assessment of mandatory probation fees.
In his remarks, Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo emphasized the importance of the officers' jobs.
“Many people believe that the legal process ends in court when a judge pronounces sentence. That is not true,” Govendo said, adding that most of the work starts after the judge pronounces his sentence.
Govendo said many offenders go to jail, but are put on probation and that's when the real work begins for community corrections officers.
“It is time consuming work, often tedious and sometimes dangerous. It requires patience, commitment, much follow-up and a lot of compassion. It requires sacrifices, a lot of face-to-face meetings, investigation and of course a mountain of paperwork,” Govendo said.
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