HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — The newest billboard displayed by the Office of the Attorney General on the island’s roadways supports the community using “self-defense” and “defense of others” when in dangerous situations.
“Better a meth addict than your loved one,” is the message on the new billboard, along with an image showing a woman pointing a gun at a man on the ground outside of her vehicle, where there is a child in the back seat. In the background, another billboard shows booking photos of “meth convictions” from 2023.
As the sign was first seen Thursday, the AG’s Office issued a press release on Friday morning with the reasoning behind the new billboard.
“This month’s message to our community is to protect yourselves and your loved ones when out, especially at night. Watch your surroundings and be ready to protect yourselves,” the release stated.
The release also states the people of Guam have a legal right to defend themselves and others when faced with dangerous situations.
“We believe that meth addicts are becoming more dangerous in our community. Meth addicts who otherwise would not be murderers are engaging in more dangerous criminal behaviors that endanger we law-abiding people and our families. They comprise a clear and present threat to us and our safety,” the AG’s Office said in the release.
The AG further states in the release that the use of protective force to combat meth addicts and violence is supported.
“A meth addict’s next victim may be armed and be able to protect themselves and their loved ones, endorsed by this AG (Douglas Moylan.) Fear goes both ways. Our people will take back our community, even if that involves using deadly force when faced with a deadly situation created by a meth addict,” the AG’s Office said in the release.
The sign comes after two robberies turned fatal shootings were alleged to be drug-related.
‘This billboard is counterproductive’
In response to the billboard which appears to show a woman shooting a supposed meth addict, Stephen Hattori, the executive director of the Public Defender Service Corp., told The Guam Daily Post that he, along with other attorneys in the Guam Bar Association, were disturbed by the messaging.
“One of our attorneys wondered, what if the meth addict is a loved one? Can we still shoot them?” Hattori said before adding “not all drug addicts are violent criminals.”
“Obviously, the small percentage of drug addicts that resort to violent crimes should be punished, but clearly, shooting drug addicts is not the answer. Self-defense at times is justified, but just saying someone is a meth addict alone is no defense,” Hattori explained.
Hattori, who, along with other public defenders, often represents drug addicts charged with violent crimes, felt the newest billboard from the AG’s Office was “counterproductive.”
“This billboard is counterproductive. If drug addicts are going to be targeted by individuals who believe the AG is endorsing the shooting of all drug addicts, then they will likely need to arm themselves as well,” Hattori said.
While it is no secret there is a drug epidemic on island, Hattori said, being “tough on crime” is not the solution.
“Talking tough about crime doesn’t solve crime. We need to address the causes of crime instead of being reactionary and shooting people and throwing them in jail. We need more treatment programs that equip our family members with the necessary tools to overcome their addiction. The money spent on these billboards can pay for beds at our inpatient drug treatment facilities. We need supportive services so people have roofs over their heads and food for their bodies. Guam is better than this. I refuse to believe that the solution is body bags.”
A billboard on meth-related crime is displayed by the Office of the Attorney General at the Barrigada tri-intersection on Friday, March 1, 2024.
