Ramon B. Camacho, Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council chairman and the prime mover of the task force, said more members of the community are now aware of the program and its goals.
Camacho said when he volunteered in the ongoing search for the missing children, many told him they wanted to join the task force.
The disappearance of the Luhk sisters has alarmed the community, he said, as he strongly urged everyone to “know and care for each other.”
The Neighborhood Watch Task Force members continue to help locate the missing children, he added.
In Dandan, he said, task force block captain Frank Camacho and other volunteers are very active in the search operation.
“I am urging members of the community to forget our differences and help build relationships that allow us to care and protect each other from any crime,” the council chairman said.
He is hopeful that the Luhk sisters will be found soon.
Their reported kidnapping, he said, “is very unacceptable to the community.”
“I am urging the community to be more vigilant,” he added.
At the same time, he expressed appreciation for the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation for allocating funds for the Neighborhood Watch Task Force.
House Local Bill 17-33 appropriates $15,000 for the task force although Chairman Camacho said he requested for $25,000.
Once approved by the governor, the $15,000 will be divided equally among the five precincts on island.
Each precinct, which has task force village team, will use the funds for anti-crime and revitalization programs, Chairman Camacho said.
The business community continues to support the task force, he added.
