Guam Police Department awaiting FEMA funding to make necessary repairs to damages

It's been almost five years since the ribbon cutting of the Central Precinct Command in Sinajana was held. What should be a place that is visible in the community, has these days been more of an eyesore with peeling paint, broken lights, and overgrown vegetation.

Like many on their daily commute on Route 4 Sinajana , Public Safety Chair Senator Chris Barnett drives by the Guam Police Department's Central Precinct every day while on his way to his office.

He said, “I called the Chief last year, I told him: Hey, me and my staff will get the water blaster, we'll get the paint and we'll paint the precinct...let's light it up, let's make it the beacon of Public Safety like it should be.”

The $4.2 million building which was opened in June of 2019, boasts holding cell areas, backup water and power generators, an outside patio, multiple administrative and operations offices, a training room and interview rooms.

It was built to meet the needs of the growing community but these days, the exterior of the precinct looks bleak and bare, with peeling paint, a barely there lawn, and overgrown vegetation blocking the view from the road.

GPD Chief Stephen Ignacio who was touring the Central Precinct on Tuesday said much of the wear and tear on the structure is a result of Mawar's heavy rains and strong winds and said the agency has taken proactive measures.

“We have already filed a claim with FEMA, it is in the FEMA portal, and I believe the cost estimate for the re-painting is a little over $30,000,” said Ignacio. 

Navigating the process has proven to be a challenge. Following the completion of a site inspection with FEMA, the claim now awaits review, a step that he said unfortunately cannot be rushed.

Barnett added, “What's frustrating for me is that we offered to do this or address it but the chief had told me he was gonna get it done as part of Mawar recovery....Mawar was almost a year ago.” 

Ignacio said that while offers of assistance to spruce up the precinct are appreciated, he added it's crucial to understand the intricacies of the FEMA claim process.

“There's still a lot of recovery that we are working towards,” he said. 

It's clearly now a waiting game to bring the Central Precinct Command to its once pristine state.

Barnett said, “The people of Guam deserve better. If we are talking up boosting Public Safety, and getting the public to respect Public Safety, we have to show we respect Public Safety facilities.”