By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
BUSINESS establishments accounted for nearly half of all burglary and theft-related crimes investigated across the Commonwealth since Super Typhoon Sinlaku struck in mid-April, according to a Department of Public Safety report released Wednesday morning.
From April 15 to June 16, DPS documented 267 burglary and theft-related incidents, including 120 cases involving business establishments, 89 residential burglaries, 42 thefts and 16 copper wire thefts. The department said business-related crimes accounted for about 45 percent of all reported cases, while residential burglaries made up roughly 33 percent. Combined, those categories represented more than 78 percent of all reported offenses during the recovery period.
DPS said officers have maintained patrol operations, responded to service calls and worked with community partners to address criminal activity that emerged after the Category 5 storm disrupted power and security systems across Saipan.
DPS urges residents and business owners to remain vigilant by securing properties, reporting suspicious activity and safeguarding valuables.
“DPS remains committed to maintaining public safety and holding offenders accountable while the Commonwealth continues its recovery efforts,” the statement said.
Anyone with information about criminal activity is asked to contact DPS at (670) 664-9042 or call 911 in emergencies.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
