I AM and have been a concerned citizen for many years in the CNMI.
My concerns are for the individuals that do not have shelter, the substance abuse individuals and indecent exposure in public.
The CNMI government, all elected officials and its employees, are supposed to be working for “us”(The People).
I am sure that mostly everyone on island have seen the individuals drinking alcohol around establishments and sleeping out in broad daylight especially in Garapan next to McDonald’s.
I don’t know what the CNMI government officials are waiting for. For example: there are many homeless individuals sleeping in abandoned buildings and on the beaches. Some have died out in the open over the years.
The most recent homeless man that comes to mind is the Palauan man that was staying at fishing base in Garapan He lived there for many months without food and water. He only survived by handouts from concerned citizens like myself. I went there a few times to give him food. I’ve learned he has passed away. I heard that when they found him he was already deceased.
Almost everyone on Saipan, including the CNMI government, knew that he was there and did nothing. The CNMI government should come up with a plan to eradicate this problem before it gets worse. Tackle the problem now while it’s still in a manageable stage and not overwhelming.
CNMI government officials shouldn’t continue to just wait until people pass away. I think the government should make a law, if there is no law to tackle this problem.
Someone needs to come up with a bill and bring it to the House and the Senate.
The CNMI government should intervene and help acquire some sort of shelter, counseling and proper medical care for these people. This also include returning individuals to their native island or country.
We know what the end will be for these people if they don’t change some of their behavior and habits. They have a choice and we must remind them of that. If we continue to let them survive the way we have been over the years, then the result will always be the same. Let’s change that. Let’s care and not just let them die.
WILLIE BRUNDIDGE
Saipan, CNMI
