But this number can be reduced if the community will cooperate and continue to assist in reporting crimes to the local NMI Crime Stoppers, according to a proclamation signed by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial on Thursday.
January has been designated as Crime Stoppers Month.
In his proclamation, Fitial urged the community to report criminal activities and help law enforcers ensure the security and safety of visitors and residents.
According to the proclamation, the local Crime Stoppers program began in 1989 and has led to the arrest of dozens of criminals as well as the recovery of tens of thousands of dollars of stolen property.
It also helped in taking millions of dollars worth of illegal drugs from the streets of the CNMI.
This year’s Crime Stoppers Month theme is “Working Together to Stop Crime.”
“DPS can maximize the effectiveness and opportunity that Crime Stoppers offers with direct assistance from the community, and we cannot continue to complain about the crime in the NMI. We must do something about it and become a part of the solution or we remain a part of the problem,” the proclamation stated.
The arrest of the three suspects in the murder of Efren Ballesteros, a security guard assigned to Marianas High School on Nov. 2008 is one proof that the community can help solve crimes, the governor said.
The NMI Crime Stoppers is a non-profit, civilian-run organization that allows members of the community to turn in criminals without revealing their identities.
Crime Stoppers pays up to $1,000 in cash for tips that can lead to an arrest.
For more information or to report a crime, call 234-7272. No caller ID’s are used.
