DPS urges vigilance as post-Sinlaku burglaries top 260

The Department of Public Safety is urging residents and business owners to secure their properties and remain vigilant, saying burglaries and thefts typically rise after major storms when damaged buildings are left unattended.

Speaking in an interview with Marianas Press last June 24, DPS Commissioner Anthony I. Macaranas said the trend is not unusual following a natural disaster such as Super Typhoon Sinlaku, which struck the CNMI last April 15.

“Every Mother Nature storm that hits our island, we will encounter a lot of burglary of both residential and business due to the fact that, No. 1, it's not been [occupied], damages to the property that allows the intruders to come in and loot the property as it's freely been damaged by a typhoon,” Macaranas said.

According to DPS, the department has documented 267 burglary and theft-related incidents throughout the Commonwealth since April 15. The total includes 120 cases involving business establishments, 89 involving residential properties, 42 theft cases, and 16 copper wire theft cases.

Business-related incidents accounted for the largest share of reported crimes at approximately 45% of all cases, while residential burglaries accounted for roughly 33%.

Macaranas urged residents to return to their homes and businesses as soon as conditions allow following a storm.

“My advice to the people is once it's all clear, head back to your property and secure your valuables,” he said. “It only takes a moment where people that are just looking around, going around the island, looking at places, and are targeting people that will go and hit their property and get the valuables.”

He said DPS patrol officers continue to conduct islandwide patrols, including in remote and secluded areas, while detectives actively investigate reported crimes.

Regarding copper wire thefts that have hampered recovery efforts, Macaranas said officers have already recovered stolen materials during traffic stops and continue to focus patrols on vulnerable infrastructure sites.

“There was a couple of cases where patrol officers have stopped vehicles and recovered stolen copper wires, and that's part of the cases that are being investigated right now,” he said.

The commissioner said DPS continues to struggle with staffing shortages at a time when public demand for police services remains high.

“I'm still short-staffed,” Macaranas said.

He said a full patrol shift should consist of 12 officers, with about 10 available for street patrol duties after accounting for other assignments.

“In reality, if I'm going to have a full coverage of the island, I'm asking for 20 people per shift, plus adequate equipment,” he said.

Macaranas said the department has recently lost officers to mainland agencies and federal law enforcement positions that offer significantly better compensation.

“I just lost five officers moving to the state side, going to other agencies and federal government, federal agencies that they're joining,” he said.

He said improving officer pay remains one of his top priorities.

“It's very sad that we're one of the lowest paid agencies, law enforcement,” Macaranas said. “The people expect us a lot to do with less funding.”

Macaranas also declined to comment on recent criticism from Senate President Karl R. King-Nabors and Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho regarding his reappointment as DPS commissioner.

The issue stems from Macaranas' return to the department after then-acting Gov. Dennis C. Mendiola removed him from the post in February. Asked for his reaction to comments questioning his reappointment, Macaranas said he preferred not to address the matter publicly.

Following the interview, DPS spokesman Fred Sato said the department currently has approximately 130 officers remaining across the agency.

Sato said DPS does not expect to hold a police academy this year because of budget constraints, meaning there will be no immediate influx of new recruits to replace departing officers.

Macaranas acknowledged the challenges facing the department but asked residents to continue reporting crimes and suspicious activity.

“Please be patient,” he said. “Have faith in the department as we continue to help you with some of the crimes that we reported.”