Crime and addiction go hand in hand, according to the Guam Police Department.
Sgt. Paul Tapao, GPD spokesman, says many addicts turn to crime in order to get money to feed their addiction.
In 2018, GPD reported 1502 burglaries, 354 motor vehicle thefts, 2273 larceny-thefts, and 99 robberies.
In October of this year, GPD reported 101 theft of property, 9 theft of services, one identity theft, 82 burglaries, 6 robberies, and 21 theft of motor vehicles.
Tapao says that violent crimes are often committed for instant cash needed to fund a drug addiction like methamphetamine.
“Addiction is a problem here on island and to fund their addiction, people are going to resort to criminal activity such as burglaries, car break-ins, robberies, and home invasion,” Tapao said.
He added that the majority of the crime incidents that GPD investigated had to do with needing money for drug addiction.
“We understand that it is moving into an epidemic. But with addiction, it really starts with recovery and the individual seeking help. We can do our part at the Guam Police Department with drug interdiction, take all the reports, take all the cases, and bring closure to them. But unless people seek the help that they need … that’s where we find the cure, that’s where we find the tools to battle this epidemic of crystal methamphetamine,” Tapao said.
##
