By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

THE vandalism at the Koblerville Youth Learning Center by still unknown suspects has prompted a group of residents to form a neighborhood watch.
Rep. Cinta M. Kaipat, Covenant-Saipan, said a non-profit organization will apply for funding to form the task force that will protect the village from burglars and other criminal elements.
This will be carried out by more than one organization in the village, she said.
The windows and walls of the youth center were broken on Sunday morning. Firecracker debris was also found inside the building.
Kaipat said the Tottotville community and a religious group have pledged to coordinate with each other in maintaining the federally funded youth center.
Besides the Youth Affairs Office, which holds tutorial sessions for elementary school students,three community groups also use the center for their meetings and activities.
The problem, according to Kaipat, is that no one is at the center on a regular basis.
Jimmy Marcelo, the maintenance worker at the Youth Affairs Office, cannot stay at the center all the time because he has to work at other youth centers on island, Kaipat said.
The best way to keep the youth center in good shape is to have the three community groups coordinate so that they themselves can maintain it, she added.
“I have spoken to Tottotville residents and they say they will invite others to set up a meeting and talk about plans to use and maintain the youth center,” Kaipat said.
She said she will also ask the Department of Public Safety and junior police officers to have their offices at the center.
The Youth Affairs Office also has its own plan to assign staffers to the center, Kaipat said.
Kaipat, special assistant for youth affairs Mike Manglona and Gualo Rai youth center coordinator Ken Concepcion have scheduled a meeting to discuss this plan.