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Prostitution in Western Garapan
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Posted on May 04 2009
I am seeking assistance from the public and the government to eradicate the problem of prostitution on Saipan. Last year, on Dec. 4, 2008, Rep. Joseph C. Reyes highlighted the problem of prostitution, specifically in Western Garapan’s Hotel Street. Congressman Reyes was requesting DPS Commissioner Santiago Tudela to dig deeper into the problem to determine whether someone was behind the proliferation of prostitutes and illegal taxicabs’ operations.
Presently, prostitution and illegal cabs are rampant. I work on Hotel Street from 8pm to 4am or sometimes 6am. I have seen and reported a lot of illegal prostitution activities and illegal taxi operation in the area to DPS. The department has been replying to me that it is not important.
This is how prostitution operates: The prostitutes would wait outside a DVD establishment. They would ask customers walking by if they want a massage. Once inside the massage business establishment, they would negotiate and solicit sex from the customers instead of massage. Later you would see the prostitute and customers exit the business establishment. They would ride in a tinted car to the hotel or apartment of the prostitutes to do their illegal activities.
These business establishments are supposed to be selling DVDs, not promoting prostitution. On Thursday during the Street Market, children would witness some of these illegal activities. What kind of image are we portraying to our youths? Are we saying that illegal prostitution is accepted in our community and that there is no law to enforce this kind of behavior? Let’s all work together if we want our community to be safe and to eradicate illegal prostitution on Saipan. Government agencies, including DPS, Labor and Immigration, the Attorney General’s Office, Public Health and the community must all work as a team to effectively combat and eliminate prostitution once and for all in our community. This will improve the image of our island to the visitors and tourist alike.
[I][B]Phil Kalen[/B] Lower Navy Hill, Saipan[/I]
