Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council Chairman Ramon B. Camacho said the participants objected to the continued operation of poker parlors in their village.
Camacho said these establishments should be relocated to hotels.
This way, he said, they will serve their “real” purpose which is to cater to tourists.
“Let us find an appropriate place. Why not the hotels?” he asked.
The consequences of poker addiction were discussed during the recent meeting of the Kagman Komunidat Association.
Residents blamed poker for the violence and burglaries in their village.
During the task force meeting, Kagman residents vowed to continue advocating peace and order in their village.
Glenn Dikito, one of the task force block captains, said the participants vowed to support programs that will minimize, if not eradicate, crimes in their area.
Within this month, he said peace advocates will visit Kagman to invite community members to join the task force.
During the meeting, Camacho spoke about the goals of the task force.
Jesse Torres, president of the Kagman Komunidat Assocation, attended the meeting.
Dikito said they agreed to intensify their information campaign regarding the task force during the farmers market in Kagman.
He said they want more involvement of community members.
Dikito at the same time lauded the commitment of the youth sector to affiliate with the task force.
One of the youth leaders, John Salas, said they were able to secure a grant for acquiring sports equipment.
The youth will play a very important role in maintaining peace in the community through sports, Dikito said.
