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‘We follow COVID-19 Task Force’s lead’
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Posted on Nov 19 2021
When it comes to enforcement of mandatory quarantine, the power of enforcement does not fall under Department of Public Safety’s jurisdiction. Rather, they follow the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force’s lead, according to DPS Commissioner Robert Guerrero.
When asked about David Butterfield’s action to flout quarantine restrictions at the Kanoa Resort Hybrid Quarantine facility last month and how DPS will ensure that it won’t happen again, Guerrero said the department merely follows the task force’s lead in terms of enforcement.
“We take the lead from them when they need further assistance for security purposes. There’s a strong collaboration between DPS and the task force in terms of securing the community from COVID-19 spread,” he said.
Guerrero explained that the task force provides the guidelines and, if additional officers are needed for security purposes, then DPS will provide that.
Saipan Tribune learned that the task force has yet to charge Butterfield following his “escape” from the facility.
According to the Saipan Tribune archives, DPS arrested Butterfield last Oct. 18, after he fled the Kanoa Resort quarantine facility six days into his mandatory quarantine.
Butterfield, who arrived from Guam on Oct. 12, was arrested around 11:13am on Oct. 18, after police pulled him over in the parking area of American Nails in Garapan.
Butterfield, who is a freelance photographer, claims he walked straight out of the quarantine facility on Sunday evening. In a lengthy note he posted on social media hours before his arrest, he said he left Kanoa because he did not agree with the task force’s quarantine protocols for non-vaccinated individuals.
However, COVID-19 Task force chair Warren Villagomez claims Butterfield “escaped” through a fire escape.
Butterfield also noted in his post that he is not vaccinated and has already had COVID-19 but has since recovered.
