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House JGO OKs registry for convicted burglars, thieves
The House Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations recommends passage of a bill requiring all persons convicted of burglary, robbery, or theft to register with the Department of Public Safety, to notify the community about the location of registered offenders when necessary to ensure public safety. It will be similar to the sex offenders registry.
In a four-page report, the JGO Committee chaired by Rep. Christopher Leon Guerrero (Cov-Saipan) recommends that the House pass Rep. Roman Benavente’s House Bill 18-120.
The JGO panel report on HB 18-120 or “The Burglary, Robbery and Theft Offenders Registration Act” may be adopted by the full House for action in this week’s session.
The CNMI has seen many burglary, theft and robbery cases the past few years. In 2008, the cases totaled 1,956 and went up to 2,079 in 2009. The number of cases reached 1,687 in 2010; 1,817 in 2011; 1,560 in 2012; and 257 in the first quarter of 2013.
Benavente, in his bill, said there had been 14 murders committed in either the homes of community members or as a result of robberies since 1995.
He said a burglary, robbery, and theft criminal offender registration system can greatly enhance public safety “by tracking the criminal offenders after sentencing following their release from the Department of Corrections into Parole Supervision or non-incarcerated sentencing under non-supervision of agency’s supervision.”
“It will also benefit the investigation of crimes to identify perpetrators if a crime is committed that is similar in nature occurred within the area. [DPS] will have the advantage of identifying suspects through the system. Therefore, a person convicted of burglary, robbery, or theft will be required to register,” Benavente said.
The JGO Committee said enactment of the bill will result in additional costs to the CNMI government as it places additional responsibilities on DPS with respect to implementation “but ensuring the safety of our citizens will outweigh such cost.”
