I KEEP saying we need to watch and listen to the feds more and try to model after them. I will be the first to say they have made mistakes but the feds have also proven to be superior in many areas making for some excellent examples for us that we should follow. As a former student member of a “think tank” in college, very often we found that most of the solutions to social and business problems in our society were already available. The technology is already available to end the robberies and murders at the poker establishments. The cost of this technology is far cheaper than a life.
The computer along with an extra door is the simple solution to a big problem. The solution is to set up a “trap door” system with a camera connected to a computer at the entrance to all poker establishments, especially the ones that are open all night. Once inside the trap door, each individual will be photographed before being “buzzed” completely into the establishment. The picture will be simultaneously downloaded to an additional “centralized” data base at an undisclosed location. No one with criminal intent will dare enter these establishments to commit a crime with it being mandatory for their picture to be taken before entering. Criminals will have no means of compromising the data base. The computer will also have the time and date which really creates a technological safeguard for prosecution that can’t be compromised. Owners and the police can even monitor the establishments with extra cameras if needed—this is the space age and we are supposed to outsmart these guys. This is exactly the same type of system used at tourist sites in New York since Sept. 11, only they are checking for terrorists.
I hope this will be helpful because it is a proven method on the mainland U.S. that can end the crimes at the poker establishments. The only “shortcoming” is because of the “hard drugs” that are driving this crime spree, the criminals will look somewhere else or some other means of acquiring money. Once they know that there are alarm systems in homes or businesses they will just go to the next one that is not protected or look for something else to exploit. We just have to keep making it harder for them.
On other matters, I have been pushing for a Tourist Act along with others in the community for more than two years but it seems once the crime level against tourists drops our suggestion is easily forgotten. I was told by a Marianas Visitors Authority official that the act was not fair to all citizens but I’m confident the local people wouldn’t feel slighted for criminals to receive a mandatory 2 to 5-year sentence for crimes against tourist. The tourist are our very “lifeline” for economic survival and we need to act like it. A Tourist Act will also be an added asset to our promotions as a tourist destination because it reassures the tourists that their safety is paramount to the people of the CNMI.
The senators also seem to be in total disarray. This representation issue in the Legislature is as old as the commonwealth. In fact the representation of Tinian and Rota was the biggest stumbling block in the creation of the CNMI Constitution. One of the reasons this struggle has continued so long is again our indifference to the federal system. At the federal level, it is the vice president who is the president of the Senate and not a sitting senator.
This is by no means a put down of Senate President Paul A. Manglona or any senator, but a mere statement of the facts. The whole fuss is over leadership and representation within the Senate and not so much a matter of law. They may want to consider the intervention of our vice chief executive, Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, to resolve this decades old issue because he is certainly more than qualified. This representation issue on leadership rolls has the potential to forever be an issue given the difficult dynamics of not being physically connected to Tinian and Rota. Another possible scenario is to agree on a continuous structured plan of rotation based on islands for some of the leadership positions to guarantee each island a turn at the helm. At any rate, please hurry and resolve it because the people are suffering from your bickering—bickering that should be devoted to the creation of new laws—laws we are in desperate need of. We need some new industries—quick, fast and in a hurry, the clock is ticking! Please find the “permanent” middle ground for the sake of the commonwealth and not your personal egos. You are just going to have to learn or figure out a permanent way to “share” power—a concept that we teach to first graders.
Finally while I’m on the subject, it seems we are in need of a “think tank” of our own. The Legislature has been asking for ideas, the governor is seeking for ideas, the school system is sending out surveys trying to figure out what to do, and people in the business community are seeking for ideas. It looks to me like we need some real “focus” on some big problems. Many of the solutions are out there just waiting for us to identify. The challenge of finding these solutions is to be innovative and creative which require a concentrated and focused effort and not off the top of our heads in one or two meetings of the minds on individual problems. We must start addressing the Big Picture. Many of the matters facing us will call for drastic changes—changes that are challenging our ability to plan and to act. We would serve ourselves better to form a “think tank” than to continue this scatter brain approach we are taking. We have the brain power to control our destiny once we can figure out what buttons to push, but we are in disarray about what to do by our own admission. There is definitely a new era in the horizon for the CNMI, given our present situation. The question is are we going to be paupers or prosperous? The game is a foot and it is too close and tight, so let’s handle this like the pros and stop the guessing. One people, one direction.AMBROSE M. BENNETT
Kagman, Saipan
