Photo by Bryan Manabat: Mayor “RB” Camacho met with faith leaders for a safer, stronger Saipan community
Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho recently convened local faith leaders to form a partnership focused on public safety, crime prevention, and youth engagement—a first-of-its-kind initiative in the Northern Mariana Islands.
The meeting, held last week at the Mayor’s Office, is part of Camacho’s “Safe Community, Safe Village, and a Clean Island” platform and centers on the influence and support of Saipan’s diverse religious organizations.
Among those in attendance were Bishop Romeo Convocar of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa and faith leaders from World Mission Church, Saipan Community Church & School, Tamoni Ministries, Eucon Christian Bible Church, Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ, Jesus Is Lord Church, and Asia Adventure.
Mayor Camacho emphasized the role of faith-based organizations in strengthening the social fabric and promoting civic responsibility on Saipan and throughout the commonwealth.
“You have a strong and powerful voice in the community. I need your help,” the mayor told the leaders.
“We’re facing many issues: the economy, reduced government work hours, unemployment, and criminal activities. We’re receiving a lot of calls about burglaries and intruders. It’s getting out of hand, and the only group I can appeal to is you. You deal with large groups of people in your churches. We need to put the message out to keep our community safe.”
Discussions covered strategies to combat rising crime in local villages, with religious groups supporting initiatives such as the Neighborhood Watch Program. These efforts can succeed if faith communities mobilize their networks and serve as communication channels for community concerns.
Faith leaders also highlighted youth engagement as a key crime-prevention strategy, with ideas including expanding Bible study programs outside church walls and collaborating on mentorship, sports, and cultural activities for young people.
The Mayor’s Office has already implemented after-school sports and summer programs. Camacho said he is also considering community events, such as a fruit or breadfruit festival, to bring residents together and strengthen relationships.
“Nothing is impossible if we can all partner up,” Camacho said. “We can make it happen.”
Bishop Convocar said the Catholic community shares the broader challenges facing the CNMI.
“If the economy is bad, when criminalities are up, our communities are affected. When peace and order is not good, drug addiction rises—we are affected,” Convocar said. “After all, the mayor and faith leaders are serving the same people. We are on the spiritual side, and Mayor Camacho is on the side of taking care of the welfare of the community.”
Convocar added that he came with “an open mind and heart” to support any initiatives the mayor may propose for the good of the community.
The meeting is part of Camacho’s broader initiative to engage various community groups—including ethnic organizations, residents, and other sectors—to build support for programs promoting safety and unity across Saipan.
He stressed that incorporating faith leaders into crime prevention and youth engagement is an unprecedented approach in the CNMI, positioning Saipan as a model for collaboration.
By Bryan Manabat Variety News Staff
