By Trina A. San Agustin
Variety News Staff

THE residents of northern Guam now have a new police and fire station. Yesterday, many local and federal government officials took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony officially commissioning the $1.8 million station.
The new Guam Police Department and Guam Fire Department station is located along Route 1 Marine Corps Drive in Dededo, past the intersection of the old John Del Supermarket.
Of the total project cost of $1.8 million, the government of Guam contributed $500,000 in Compact-Impact funds while the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority paid for the remaining amount through a Community Block Grant, according to GHURA director Ronald DeGuzman.
“Two things come to mind when I think of these facilities: collaboration and team work,” DeGuzman said.
He said when he took his job, the governor tasked him with opening a police and fire station in Dededo.
“I thought it was going to be an easy job but it wasn’t. It was a challenge. One of the challenges was finding a location that was suitable,” he added.
The new police and fire station is on a property given to GPD and GFD on a 50-year rent-free lease by the Guam Ancestral Lands Commission.
“We are very thankful to the Ancestral Lands Commission. So you have 50 years to save money in case they want to charge you after that,” DeGuzman told members of GFD and GPD.
Dededo Mayor Melissa Savares gave a brief history of her municipality to those present at yesterday’s ceremony.
“Back in 1951, the Guam Fire and Guam Police made home at the old police/fire station along with the Public Health dispensary, the commissioners’ office, and the Dededo post office,” Savares said.
She said over the years, Dededo continued to grow and so did Yigo. This, she said, was when Government of Guam officials saw the need for a new public safety station for the two villages.
“Our people who are here protecting us in the north were moving shoulder to shoulder and walking sideways through the hallways in the old stations just to get things done and ensure the safety of our community. These two facilities are long overdue,” she added.
Police officers and firefighters continue to transition into their new home, according to GPD public information officer Allan Guzman. The police officers are looking to completely move into their new home next week.
Guzman told Variety that the numbers for the Dededo precinct will remain the same: 632-9808/0911. However, if there is an emergency, Guzman urged residents to call 911 or the GPD dispatch at 472-8911.
Officials don’t expect to completely move in until the end of next week.