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MVA to draw up report on crime situation
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Posted on Sep 22 2000
The Marianas Visitors Authority Board has tasked Managing Director Perry John Tenorio to begin gathering information which will help convince the Japanese government that the Northern Marianas is still a safe place for Japanese tourists.
MVA Board Chair Dave M. Sablan said the comprehensive public safety situation will include the crime statistics and measures being carried out to reduce incidents of burglary, snatching and theft.
The Japanese Consulate wants specific data to show that there is a decline in the crime trend within a specific period. Public safety officials and members of the tourism industry will assist in providing the necessary information.
“We will put in place a monitoring system since they want us to show a downtrend in each of the crime categories. The faster we give it to them, the better,” Mr. Sablan said.
MVA will coordinate efforts of all government agencies involved to be able to take corrective measures particularly in dealing with prostitution in the main tourist district of Garapan.
The travel advisory containing information on the security and laws of the destination is regularly issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. A separate website provides specific level of security risks involved in traveling to a particular destination.
“It is a lot of work but we will be glad to provide the Japanese Consulate the information needed for the sake of regaining credibility and prove that the safety of the visitors is a concern on the island,” said Mr. Sablan.
The travel advisory has described the Northern Marianas, particularly Saipan, as an unsafe destination, due to the growing crime incidents.
