CNMI Department of Public Safety (DPS) Bureau of Motor Vehicle (BMV) will be extending recently expired drivers license and vehicle registrations without penalty.

All expired drivers license have a grace period of 30 working days after the expiration date for renewal before a $20 penalty fee is owed. All expired vehicle registration have a grace period of 10 days after the expiration date for renewal before a $30 penalty fee is owed. As of March 16, 2020, BMV was temporarily closed, as part of the nationwide concern of the coronavirus.

All recent expired drivers license and vehicle registration will have their expiration dates extended. For example if your CNMI drivers license or vehicle registration expires during the temporary closure of BMV, you will be granted a waiver without penalty until the BMV reopens for normal operation. 

If you have an expired drivers license or vehicle registration BMV would like to ask the public to notify their insurance provider as a courtesy.

Officers conducting patrol are aware of this and are mindful of recently expired drivers license and vehicle registration.

The Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force and the CNMI Department of Public Safety highly 

advises the public to refrain from making unnecessary trips to public places. Limit public 

exposure to grocery store trips and food pick-ups. 

Your CNMI law enforcement officers and your government care for the well-being of you and your family.

On Sunday, March 22, 2020, at about 6:51 a.m., the CNMI Department of Public Safety (DPS) received a 911 call reporting an injured person at a poker establishment in the village of San Jose, Saipan.

At about 6:54 a.m., police arrived on scene and entered the establishment. In the establishment police noticed a female individual laying on the floor of the cashier booth, moaning in pain. Officers made contact with the victim and asked the victim questions on what had happened. The victim was unable to answer as she was in severe pain. The victim was transported to the Commonwealth Health Care Center (CHCC) where she was admitted. 

Witnesses at the scene told police that a masked individual was attempting to gain access into the cashiers booth, before fleeing the establishment and heading south towards the village of Oleai.

After further investigation, Police were told that the suspect mentioned to the cashier that he needed to “cash out.” Shortly after the victim left the cashiers booth, she blacked out before police arrived on scene.

The suspect is described as 5’6 or 5’7, dark complexioned, skinny built, wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, tan colored cargo shorts, black baseball cap, and black shoes.

If you or someone you know has any information relating to this crime we encourage you to call 911 immediately, or if you wish to remain anonymous you may call the CNMI Crime Stoppers Hotline at 234-7272. Crimestoppers pays up to $1,000.00

At about 5:00 a.m., this morning CNMI Department of Public Safety (DPS) stated in an earlier press release that the threat in the village of San Antonio, Saipan had been neutralized.

As of this time DPS is allowing residents who were recently evacuated from the immediate area to return to their homes. 

DPS is asking the public to report any crime occurring in your village by dialing 911. If you would like to remain anonymous please call the CNMI Crime Stoppers hotline at 234-7272. Crimestoppers pays up to $1,000.00 for any information leading to an arrest.

Sometime between 2:30 - 3:00 a.m., this morning, local and federal law enforcement agencies conducted a breach into the suspects residence. Upon making contact with the suspect, the suspect fired multiple rounds directly towards officers. Officers returned fire and managed to neutralize the threat.

The suspect is confirmed to be deceased at this time. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the situation, the female is also confirmed to be deceased.

Federal partners, including CNMI Department of Public Safety Internal Affairs, and the Criminal Investigative Bureau are conducting a thorough investigation of the incident.

The Department will release more information on the current situation once it becomes available.

As of 9:00 p.m., this evening, there is no change in status on the current situation in San Antonio, Saipan.

Law enforcement officers remain at the scene, and due to safety concerns, DPS is asking residents near the immediate area to stay clear until DPS states that it is safe to return.  

DPS is asking parents to refrain from allowing their children to roam freely near or around the area of San Antonio.

DPS is asking motorists to consider alternate routes when planning to drive through the village of San Antonio.

The Department will release more information on the current situation once it becomes available.

As of 6:30 p.m., this evening, there is no change in status on the current situation in San Antonio, Saipan.

Residents near the immediate area were evacuated earlier this morning, and are asked to stay clear of the immediate area until DPS states that it is safe to return.  

DPS is asking parents to refrain from allowing their children to roam freely near or around the area of San Antonio.

DPS is asking motorists to consider alternate routes when planning to drive through the village of San Antonio.

The Department will release more information on the current situation once it becomes available.