by Mindy Aguon

Guam - In light of recent events involving violent crimes locally, Governor Eddie Calvo and Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio met with safety public officials this morning discussing efforts to curb crime on island.

Lt. Governor Tenorio says part of the job is getting heightened awareness and visibility within the villages and communities that may help in lessen the chance of crimes. "And we recognize as the governor had indicated that we're short of personnel and we have been trying to get our finances in order, but it's going to take some time for us to recruit and train. The police officers who are going to be succeeding the current slate of officers who have been doing more with less for a long time," he said.

He further states that prevention through education is key to solving society's problems here on island adding that he's spoken with Barrigada mayor June Blas and Yona mayor Ken Joe Ada and working off their models of their Community Watch Program. "And I'm going to be reaching out to the Mayors Council to ask for their assistance in not just establishing neighborhood watch programs within their villages but also I talked to them this morning on giving them authority of the mayors to issue citations, asking the Judiciary and the Guam Police to assist in that training so that the mayors can do what they're already authorized by law to do," he said.

Tenorio says the public safety team meeting meanwhile briefly discussed the possibility of deportation of citizens under the Compacts of Free Association who have committed crimes and working in accordance with law and federal counterparts.