Concerns are growing over Guam’s homelessness problem after a homeless encampment has been set up at Alupang Island in Hagatna Bay. KUAM went to the island and found various belongings, a makeshift structure, a fire pit and even a curious snorkelor. The encampment is raising questions over public safety but also why so many are experiencing homelessness in the first place.
What appears to be a curious tourist in snorkeling gear is seen checking out a strange sight on Alupang Island in Hagatna Bay. Over the past several weeks, a homeless encampment has been growing on the normally uninhabited island.
KUAM went there on Tuesday to try to find out who is living there and why. But we were only met with their belongings– many of them. A hammock, bedcot, cooking and fishing gear, leftover food, and even a baby stroller were just some of the various items scattered around the front and leading into a trail. There was also a burn pit, a makeshift structure and a solar light fixed to the cliffside.
"It has been a concern by the residents that brought it to my attention, residents around that area,"said Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon mayor Louise Rivera. She says surrounding residents have been voicing their concerns over the encampment, which has been growing over a month ago. She reached out for assistance from the Guam Police Department’s Marine Patrol, Park Police, and Adelup officials.
But so far, only the Department of Land Management was able to confirm the property belongs to the chamoru land trust commission– the government agency that administers land for the Chamoru people.
The mayor's been turning to her constituents to help identify who the individuals are, saying, "So I can reach out to them and see what their intentions are. Are they trying to start up a new population out there? We don’t know. Does that island still fall under the Governor of Guam? Are they trying to be their own governor? We don’t know."
In the meantime, we spoke with a concerned citizen at the beach, who asked to remain anonymous, who shared, "We did have some GovGuam officials come out. GPD has come out and taken a look, Chamorro Land Trust, and Park Police. "
He says he’s seen a group of people bringing supplies to the island when it’s low tide, saying, "I see them bringing supplies and whatever they need, going to the island and coming back and forth. A few times, I have seen fires on the island. We have heard a lot of fighting at night, fighting amongst each other."
It’s a public safety concern with visitors frequenting the popular area. "My biggest concern is the tourists because this place does have a lot of tourists swimming and they do enjoy going to the island. But because of the encampment, we’re seeing less of them wanting to go there," said the resident.
As it stands, the encampment poses larger questions. Various homeless encampments across Guam have been cleared up by GovGuam officials in the past few years, but as more continue to pop-up, is it just a band-aid fix? And how can the government address the root of the problem: why people are experiencing homelessness in the first place.