By Rachel Seo, KUAM Intern

Days into the new year and the Attorney General's “Panbuster” billboards have been tagged.

“Somebody came in, felt very strongly–politically strong–on what we were saying on the signs, which is basically of course the laws at our intersections. So it is a crime. It was damage to the people’s property, but more importantly, I think it’s what we’re fighting against in this government,” said AG Doug Moylan. 

Moylan issued a call to action to law enforcement after vandals marked the signs “Moylan hates poor people” and “Housing is a human right.”

“Well it’s political in nature if you look at them,” said Moylan. “It’s actually the kind of reason why we put it out there was to get a reaction. These were not supposed to be nice and beautiful signs.”

“There’s a group of people that feel they’re entitled to receive money when this is a capitalist American territory. You work for what you have in life, and that is the American way of life,” he added. “It’s bringing up a very difficult issues in our community.”

Moylan contends the law is clear stating whether you are rich or poor, panhandling in our intersections is illegal. 

The vandalism comes after the Guam Homeless Coalition issued a response stating the campaign leverages fear, and anger. Calling his actions a cringeworthy spectacle of humiliation of our most vulnerable residents.

“We expressed our concern with the image that the Attorney General’s Office is displaying of individuals who are homeless and struggling. We have concerns over the approach,” said GHC Chair Aja Ramos. 

“His position is that law should be followed for the safety of the general public on the roadways and how panhandling can sometimes be a distraction and a safety issue. We feel that there’s a deeper meaning and undertone to these billboards that are really sending a message to our community,” Ramos added. 

“We’re talking about the increase of the stigma that is being communicated through these billboards that people who are homeless are really not people in so many senses, that they are a nuisance to society. They are people who are a danger to our community, which we know is not the case. They are people who are struggling and oftentimes have history of trauma, which have led them to be homeless or have led them to the streets and they have nowhere else to go,” said Ramos. 

“Go help these people at the intersections. We will notify them as we’re doing our operations, if they want to come and take these people to get vetted for their welfare assistance,” said Moylan.