Neighborhood watch refurbishes bus stop

Students and other community members who use the bus stop by the P&A Laundromat are in for a treat after P&A Corp. refurbished it.

The bus stop was painted green and now has a bench for commuters awaiting their rides. It also has the words “Promote healthy, safety, & caring community” and “Join Neighborhood Watch” noticeably painted on its walls.

Koblerville Neighborhood Watch Task Force members, Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council chair Ramon B. Camacho, Sgt. Anthony Macaranas and PO3 John Mendiola of the Department of Public Safety, and P&A Corp. officials and staff were at the site yesterday for a photo opportunity with the media.

P&A Corp. had five staffers do the restoration job for the bus stop for about two to three days beginning last Saturday, according to general manager Ho Joon Joo.

Joo said the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council approached them and sought their assistance in renovating the facility which previously didn’t have a bench. He said part of the work done on the bus stop includes elevating it a bit since water during the rainy season is an issue for residents using it.

“This is part of our community service,” Joo told Saipan Tribune. “It’s just a small, minor thing that we did. Every chance that we get, we give back to the community.”

Camacho, for his part, expressed his appreciation to P&A Corp. for their efforts in restoring what was once an eyesore in the village.

“I praise P&A Corp. for stepping forward and for an outstanding contribution in the community. They’re not just after profits but they also care much about the community,” he said.

Camacho said this is not the first time that P&A Corp. made a contribution to the island. It has donated a greenhouse in Kagman, which is being used as a juvenile correction program.

“I encourage not just the Koblerville community but other villages as well to start policing our community because if we don’t, we’re going to be the ones affected by these crimes,” he said.

Camacho is also hopeful that through the bus stop, the Neighborhood Watch Task Force will be better promoted to the public.

“It’s a good cause because it builds a bridge of relationship, trust, and caring to one another. If you don’t have this, you don’t build a relationship with your neighbor who is actually the closest who can respond to you in case of emergency,” he added.

Koblerville Neighborhood Watch Task Force members Dolores Diaz and Mike Kubarii separately thanked P&A for the overhauling of the bus stop.

“This will be good especially for the students who wait for their bus rides on their way to school. I think it will also encourage others to join the Neighborhood Watch because it’s very important for us to cooperate and come together,” said Kubarii.

Diaz, who recently joined the task force, emphasized the need to watch out for one another at a time when crimes are becoming more rampant on island.

“It’s a good endeavor. We need to encourage others to join the group and report anything suspicious in our area,” said Diaz, adding that the Neighborhood Watch Task Force helps curb criminal acts.