by Nick Delgado

Guam - Guam is not 100% safe - that's the message the Japan Consulate Office on Guam has been relaying to all Japanese visitors following the spike in tourist-related crimes reported in the last year. It's a notice that has had tourism officials concerned for months and they now are hoping to change that.

Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association president Mary Torre says there were at least 40 tourist-related crimes recorded in 2011. "This last six months has really doubled the number we were at last year," she explained. "And so it's very concerning but at the same time we are doing something about it. To protect Guam and the tourism community, because it is our bread-and-butter."

The island's largest revenue source for months was threatened after a notice to Japanese tourist warned that the island is not completely safe. To fix the bad image, GHRA, GVB and the Guam Police Department are enhancing enforcement efforts with operation blue wave. Tumon Precinct commander Lieutenant Ron Taitano said, "Certain areas were just repeatedly being affected by robberies so one of the strategies is to pinpoint that focus it and saturate those areas with police officers and police reserves. Blue Wave is a tourist-oriented policing strategy designed to protect the interest of tourism in the Tumon-Tamuning area."

The operation promises more roving and foot patrols in the tourist district. "It is not just for our off-island visitors, it's for the local population that comes into the Tamuning-Tumon area that patronize the business, as well. So it's just to ensure that when you come into this area, Tamuning-Tumon, you can feel safe," he added.

Torre says they are also working with private businesses to revive and expand the Crimes Against Tumon Tourists (CATT) radio system in the hotels, as well as fix the camera systems, as only one camera in Tumon is operable. "Together with GPD they are going to be donating 36 radios to GHRA, so that we can continue to serve and get the radios out to other hotels to ensure that we are 100% covered. We are looking at replacing the security cameras we used to have in Tumon," she stated.

The funding for the effort also comes from the annual Governor's Cup Golf Tournament, held in November. Both Torre and Lt. Taitano encourage anyone in the community who may want to volunteer and become a part of Blue Wave to join in an effort to protect the island's number one industry.