MVA: All eyes on Beach Road Pathway

Thieves accessed a welded pull box and attempted to steal copper wire from the newly relit Beach Road Pathway on June 24, 2016. The Marianas Visitors Authority is asking all citizens to report suspicious activity along the pathway in the evening and early morning hours to prevent a reoccurrence.
(Contributed Photo)

The Marianas Visitors Authority is asking for the community’s help in protecting the newly re-energizing lighting of the Froilan C. Tenorio Beach Road Pathway, following an attempted theft of copper wiring the very day the lights were re-energized.

“It’s very disturbing,” said MVA managing director Christopher A. Concepcion. “Here we are working to improve the island for our visitors and residents by making the pathway safer for us in the evenings, and people are stealing the wire and putting us back in the dark. We have spoken with our partners at the Department of Public Safety and are in agreement that we must swiftly crack down on these types of incidences before they become all too common. There are laws in the books that must be enforced vigorously in order to protect and preserve our image as a safe beach resort destination. The MVA will have spent nearly $1 million when the pathway lighting is completed, and it will all go to waste if copper wire thieves are left unchecked.”

The discovery was made on Saturday (June 25) morning, the very day after the MVA, Department of Public Works, and other entities re-lit the pathway lights from Kilili Beach Park to the Cabrera Center in southern Garapan.

Following a theft incident in May 2016, the pull box covers were welded to deter access.

This time the thieves were not able to completely open the boxes and steal the wire, but still managed to snag a cable and cause damage.

“We are calling for all eyes on the Beach Road Pathway in the evening hours, especially very late at night and early in the morning. We need everyone to be vigilant in protecting this lighting,” said Concepcion. “Tour operators and drivers heading to and from the airport for early morning flights, people getting off of work or heading home, please make a note of who and what you see loitering around the pathway. Report any suspicious activity by calling 9-1-1 immediately. If you have any tips—descriptions of cars or individuals you saw—call CRIMESTOPPERS. If we all make the pathway part of our neighborhood watch while driving on Beach Road at night, we can help prevent further theft.”

The restoration of lighting after the attempted theft has required additional funding and repair.

Thieves accessed a welded pull box and attempted to steal copper wire from the newly relit Beach Road Pathway on June 24, 2016. The Marianas Visitors Authority is asking all citizens to report suspicious activity along the pathway in the evening and early morning hours to prevent a reoccurrence. (PR)