DPS opens police station in CK

The Department of Public Safety opened on Friday a police substation at the Manhoben Community Center in Chalan Kanoa as part of the administration’s efforts to bring the community policing program back into the villages.

DPS Commissioner Robert A. Guerrero said the opening of the substation is one of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ objectives to take policing program to the community.

Guerrero said Chalan Kanoa is the third DPS police substation as they already opened one in Kagman, while the original police substation in Garapan still operates. Locally named a koban station, the term refers to a small neighborhood police station.

The plan is to open another koban in Garapan and another in San Antonio, Koblerville, Dandan, and San Roque, Guerrero said.

“As we move forward, as we get more officers, we are going to open more,” he said, adding that opening of substations is contingent on the availability of personnel.

Command control still resides at DPS Central but people can go to the substations and file complaints.

Guerrero said there will be a bike patrol at the Chalan Kanoa substation.

DPS is currently working on acquiring bicycles for its bike patrol in Chalan Kanoa and possibly for San Antonio.

Youth Affairs Office special assistant Shalaine Borja said they are looking forward to having the koban and the Youth Center in Chalan Kanoa.

Borja said this program can help keep children out of trouble.

According to DPS statistics in 2013, Chalan Kanoa and Susupe are the crime capitals of Saipan. Of the 272 burglary cases in that period, Chalan Kanoa was on top with 32.

Rep. John Paul Sablan (R-Saipan), who is from Precinct 2 that covers Chalan Kanoa, said he and House Speaker Rafael Demapan (R-Saipan) have always been supportive of the idea of having a koban in the villages.

Sablan said the substation in Chalan Kanoa was realized because of the partnership between DPS and Karidat.

Sablan encouraged the youth and adults to take advantage of this koban and youth center.

“Let’s build this partnership. Let’s build this confidence and trust. Let us not be afraid of the police officers. Let’s share information,” he said.

Demapan said the koban will also serve as the lawmakers’ eyes and ears in the village.

The speaker vowed to continue to fund this program not just for Precinct 2 but also for other precincts.

Demapan urged the residents and businesses in Chalan Kanoa to be more involved in making sure that the area will turn into a model village for other precincts.

Among those present at the opening ceremony were Torres, Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog, Saipan Mayor David Apatang, and Karidat Social Services executive director Lauri Ogumoro.