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8 arrested for violating curfew
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Posted on Mar 24 2020
The Department of Public Safety has already arrested eight persons as of last weekend, all of them minors who were out past the curfew that was set as a precautionary measure against the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to DPS spokesperson Dre Pangelinan, since the directive was released last Friday, DPS officers have caught eight minors who did not comply with the curfew laws.
“A few have been caught but, luckily, they were close to their homes. Officers brought them back to their residence and spoke to their parents,” he said.
Pangelinan said the minors and their parents were educated about the curfew regulations as ordered by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.
“We want to educate the public to take this measure seriously. We try our best to educate before we take strict action. We just want the public to be safe and understand the nature and importance of the measure. So far, minors have been compliant and parents have been thankful,” he said.
According to Saipan Tribune archives, Torres directed DPS and all CNMI law enforcement officers to strictly enforce the curfew laws for minors throughout Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
This means all minors (persons under the age of 18) must remain indoors from 7pm until 6am.
Pursuant to curfew laws, the only exceptions include minors who are accompanied by their parent, guardian, or an adult, who are in the direct route driving and returning home, or who are lawfully employed during the hours specified.
Under the directive, it is illegal for minors to loiter from 7pm until 6am, in or about any public streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, public buildings, places of amusement and entertainment, restaurants, cafes and other eateries, or vacant lots and places, in all of the CNMI.
Anyone who violates this directive may be imprisoned for a period not to exceed 30 days, and be made to render up to 250 hours of community service.
Minors found in violation may be cited or arrested and detained, and be subjected to the provisions of the juvenile court law.
The curfew is to remain in effect until the emergency declaration has been lifted or until further notice.
Police officers are directed to enforce these new temporary curfew hours.
