Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart issued a statement Tuesday on enforcement of the county “shelter in place” order by the county March 16 and by the governor March 19 to slow the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, one that included the possibility of future citations, or even arrests, may be forthcoming.
Sheriff Jim Hart
From the outset, local law enforcement — Sheriff’s Office, Santa Cruz Police, Watsonville Police Capitola Police and Scotts Valley Police — focused on education and communication in hopes businesses and residents would cooperate with the order.
“But as we’ve seen the past week, not all have,” Hart said. “We are receiving dozens of calls daily from concerned residents reporting people gathering in groups and non-essential businesses still operating as usual, both in violation of the order.”
Violation of the county or state order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment or both.
Local law enforcement agencies have directed officers and deputies to contact individuals who are gathering and nonessential businesses still operating to gain compliance.
Voluntary compliance will be sought, but if that doesn’t happen, officers will enforce those codes, according to Hart.
“We are thankful most people are complying, and we understand this causes frustration, but it’s all for the safety of our community,” Hart said. “While we don’t want to resort to citations or arrests, if we don’t see people take this seriously, we’ll have to.”