HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Residents reported for excessive water use will be warned first by police, but could be arrested after a second offense.
Following the passage of Typhoon Mawar, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero issued an executive order in response to water shortages. It made the excessive use of water for washing cars or water-blasting a petty misdemeanor.
The order, issued June 3, was set to expire June 18, but the governor extended the expiration over the weekend to July 4.
The Guam Police Department is responsible for enforcing the order. GPD spokesperson Officer Berlyn Savella said only a few complaints have been made since the order has been in effect.
Savella said if residents are reported, they will be given a warning, but could be arrested on their second offense.
“The course of action that we are taking is the first approach would, of course, be to educate them and remind them of the standing executive order,” Savella said, taking into consideration that residents may not be aware of the order due to a lack of power or home internet.
“If we are called to them again, or it’s identified that we’ve responded to that location a second time, the next course of action would be an arrest,” Savella said.
No arrests have been made since the executive order was issued.
Although GPD has responded to complaints, Savella said, “what may be put out on social media doesn’t necessarily come to us.”
Car wash
On Tuesday, The Guam Daily Post received a video from an anonymous source that showed cars going through a car wash at an Andersen Air Force Base gas station a little after 5 p.m.
Upon inquiring with the base, military officials responded by email Wednesday that the manager of the gas station was contacted and “the car wash is currently closed.”
Adelup spokesperson Krystal Paco-San Agustin said the government of Guam doesn’t have authority over Joint Region Marianas military facilities.
To confirm whether the military intends to comply with the executive order, even though it isn’t under GovGuam’s jurisdiction, the Post followed up again with JRM who stated bases were instructed to align with the order.
“Joint Region Marianas continues to monitor conditions related to typhoon recovery efforts across the island, and has instructed bases in Guam to ensure alignment with water conservation directives set forth by the Governor’s executive order,” JRM spokesperson Catherine Norton stated in an email to the Post.
“Restoration of vital resources such as water and power, requires the commitment and dedication of the entire island, and as good neighbors of the community it is essential we do our part and maintain compliance,” Norton added.
Questions regarding the operation of the car wash – when it was opened or closed – however remain unanswered.
In this July 2022 file photo, Simon Sanchez High School student Derek Fabian water-blasts the bleachers at the Dededo Sports Complex Baseball Field in Dededo. No arrests have been made after an executive order signed by the governor made excessive water use a petty misdemeanor offense.
