SAIPAN — Department of Corrections Commissioner Anthony Torres is repositioning DOC’s Outreach Team and Special Operations Response Team for a new door-to-door mission focused on reaching vulnerable residents across Saipan, with special emphasis on those who lack reliable transportation, Torres announced this morning.
The mission began with a meeting at NMIDOC at 8 a.m this morning, and crews moved out to the northern villages to work their way south through Talofofo, Papago and As Teo.
DOC is partnering with VOAD, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Casa Marianas and members of the House of Representatives, with the door open to additional organizations and individuals who wish to join the effort. Representatives Malcom Omar and Joel Camacho will help guide the teams to individuals in need in the northern villages, with Representatives TJ Manglona and Angelo Camacho guiding the teams further south.
Resources committed to the operation include six 4×4 trucks, three trailers, seven DOC staff, 16 outreach participants and eight to 10 volunteers, Torres said.
“This begins today and however long it takes to get to every one of our vulnerable individuals, especially the ones who have no transportation, live alone, with special needs and or disabled, who needs supplies, help and or assistance,” Torres said. “We will leave no one behind, and that is our promise, so help us God.”
The mission focuses specifically on residents who live alone, those with special needs or disabilities and elders requiring supplies, help or assistance.
DOC has been active in community recovery operations since the days following Typhoon Sinlaku, with Torres and his officers regularly deployed alongside partner agencies in distribution, debris and welfare-check operations across the island.
