Despite social distance directive, GPD seeing rise in island crime

"The Devil will find work for idle hands to do" as the saying goes, and according to the Guam Police Department, as the island hits its third week in quarantine we are seeing an uptick in crimes.

 

"We're starting to see reports of break ins to business establishments that have been closed because of the isolation and the closure and suspension of government and private operations," noted spokesperson Sergeant Paul Tapao. "So as our officers are out and about  we're really reaching out to our neighborhood watch groups to be the eyes and ears for the community and report any suspicious activity."

GPD has seen seven burglary complaints in the last couple weeks from store owners at CHamoru Village, which has been closed for three weeks in compliance with Governor Lou Leon Guerrero's orders. GPD has also made arrests for curfew violations.

But Tapao said its isn't about breaking curfew anymore, as teens are now breaking other laws, as well. He said, not mincing words, "We have knuckleheads who just don't understand and maybe it's just ignorance of the fact of what's going on, and what's happening is they still believe it's a liberty, it's a holiday, so the onus is really on the parents. How do we convey that message to the parents?"

If you have any information about any crimes, call GPD dispatch at 472-8911 or submit a tip anonymously to guam.crimestoppersweb.com.