DPS spokesman Eric F. David said in the last six months, two operations against illegal taxis were conducted by the police — one in Dec. 2008 and another one early this year.
He said DPS is planning more operations against prostitution and illegal taxis this year.
“DPS is responsible for addressing these two big problems,” David said.
Variety was told that rampant incidents of prostitution and illegal taxi operations were reported to DPS, but the department supposedly said these incidents “were not important.”
A resident said prostitutes standing outside certain DVD establishments will offer customers a “massage.”
Once inside the establishment, the woman will ask the customer if he wants sex for a fee.
The woman and the customer will then leave the establishment, and go to a hotel or apartment where the woman lives.
“These business establishments are supposed to be selling DVDs and not promoting prostitution,” a resident told Variety.
He added that on Thursdays, during the street market in Garapan, a lot of children could witness these illegal activities.
“What kind of image are we portraying to our youths? Are we saying that prostitution is accepted in our community and that there is no law to enforce this kind of behavior?” the resident asked.
He urges government agencies like DPS, the Attorney General’s Office, the Department of Labor, the Division of Immigration and the Department of Public Health to work as a team to effectively combat and eliminate prostitution “once and for all to improve the image of the island.”
Last February, authorities conducted a two-night joint operation in Susupe and Garapan which resulted in the arrest of eight women and one man for prostitution and illegal taxi operation.
