Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Rep. Luaitaua Gene Pan has called on the Lemanu and Talauega Administration to “re-adjust” their priorities in terms of the public’s safety for residents in the far east.

The lawmaker expressed disappointment over the lack of police officer presence at the Fagaitua Sub Station, with only one dispatcher assigned there.

Acting Police Commissioner Vaipuna Foifua Jr confirms they have minimized the officers to three working two shifts at the Fagaitua Substation — “due to the lack of manpower.”

He said, “we have one car stationed at Fagaitua, with three officers working on each shift, including a dispatcher. If additional assistance is required, officers from the central station will be dispatched — but the Fagaitua substation remains open.”

During the House regular session on Tuesday, Luaitaua said there are thousands of residents on the east side that require the assistance of police, but now they have to “wait” for police officers from Fagatogo to respond, which is concerning.

(Samoa News is assuming that Luaitaua is referring for the need of police assistance at one time or another by the ‘thousands’ of east side residents.)

Luaitaua told Samoa News that while there are thousands of residents on the east side, yet all the police vehicles and manpower have been transferred to Fagaotogo.

The Fagaitua East Substation, while it remains open only operates with a skeleton staff and a dispatcher and has one vehicle. If assistance is required, officers from the central station are dispatched, says Acting Police Commissioner Vaipuna Foifua Jr.  [photo supplied]

“The government should take this into consideration, why is it that east side residents have to wait for assistance yet the residents in central, Tafuna and the far west do not have to wait,” he said; adding that the Department of Public Safety (DPS) should reverse its earlier decision and re-open the Fagaitua Police Station to its full operational status, as before.

“We are entitled to this service,” said the lawmaker.

The Acting Police Commissioner told Samoa News, at the moment, under 200 DPS officers are employed.

“And we are looking at another police academy.”

Luaitaua said the issue of manpower should not be limited to just the department, rather it should be addressed by the Governor’s Office.

“They need to step in and make this a priority.

“American Samoa is facing a drug problem and yet there is no presence of the police on the east.

“We have to do better for the sake of our people,” said the Faipule.

Further he noted, “the explanation sounds more of an excuse.

“People of the east side have expressed their concerns as well; hence raising this matter during the House session.

“We cannot go on like this. It’s 2023, yet somehow it feels like we’re back to the 60’s where the services by our government is not up to standard.

“Again we have to do better,” he told Samoa News.

A hearing is scheduled for today before the Public Safety Committee chaired by Faipule Avagafano Vaimauga Maiava, a former Police Chief.

Acting Police Commissioner Foifua has been called to testify on the issue at hand.