Curfew hours reinforced for minors

The Division of Youth Services, along with the Department of Public Safety Juvenile section, is keeping a close watch on curfew violators around the Garapan area in fresh efforts to curb crimes and misdemeanors committed by juveniles especially during the nightly Liberation Day carnival.

DYS Juvenile Probation Supervisor Sylvio Ada has underscored the need to crack down on minors who stay way beyond curfew hours without parental guidance.

“We are especially on the lookout for minor consuming alcohol, for assault and battery and others,” said Mr. Ada.

The law enforcement team has been tasked by lawmakers to monitor not only activities at the Liberation Day carnival but also at the Garapan Street Market every Thursdays.

Over the past weekends, DYS and DPS have apprehended minors between the age of 14 to 17 wandering around Saipan streets unaccompanied by their parents.

“We use our own discretion, if we know you’re a repeater, we’ll give you a warning. But if it’s for the second or third time, we report it to DPS,” said Mr. Ada.

In February of last year, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio put in place law which amended the curfew hours for minors from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. the following day.

The Legislature proposed the changes after DYS findings showed an increase in crimes committed by juveniles Fiscal 1997.

It was further recorded that the increase was significant in burglary, theft, and assault and battery incidents.

According to the law, it shall be unlawful for any minor to loiter on or about any public streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, public buildings, places or amusement and entertainment, restaurants, cafes, and other eateries, or vacant lots and places within the island of Saipan during the curfew hours if the minor is under 16 years of age or older and during and between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. if the minor is less than 16 years of age.

Meanwhile, DYS is also launching its island-wide Summer Sports Camp on July 10 to 29, a summer-long activity meant to keep minors off the streets.

This is one of DYS’ prevention measures in ensuring the kids are exposed only to positive activities during the break.

The summer camp is for both boys and girls aged 8 to 14.

Clinics on basketball, volleyball, table tennis, tennis, soccer, hiking, tee-ball, and canoeing will be featured in this summer program.