by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority is looking to adopt a HUD program - Police in the Neighborhood. GHURA executive director Mike Duenas says discussions are ongoing with GPD management to see if any officers are interested in participating actively in a GHURA neighborhood.

The program is aimed at making public housing areas safer with the presence of a police officer who live in the area. Duenas says implementation of the program requires the agency to amend its Admissions and Continuing Occupancy Plan, explaining, "We have developments in Umatac, Inarajan, Malesso, Agat, Talofofo, and Yona. We have developments her in Sinajana, Asan, Mongmong, Toto, Agana Heights, and Dededo, and so we're looking. I have to work with the officers to see who are interested in it."

Duenas says they are hoping to have at least one or two officers living in each neighborhood and hopes the program will be ready for implementation by the summer.

GPD management meanwhile is currently assessing whether there is an interest among its officers.