MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. – Caution tape hasn't always surrounded Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach, but it's the latest way to warn residents that entering the city's parks are prohibited right now.

On Sunday, April 5 long-time residents Alan Nishimura and Althea Miller were taking their daily walk and knew Polliwog Park was closed, but only seeing this sign they thought it would be harmless to cut through. They soon learned it wasn't and were issued a citation.

"They advised us that the city council had implemented a zero-tolerance policy effective the Friday before- so two days before," said Nishimura.

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:

Nishimura wrote an email to the city council. He says on prior occasions they had walked through the park with no problem and felt they should have received a warning.

"We were issued a citation for a zero-tolerance policy of which we had no notice," said Nishimura.

Nishimura hasn't heard back from the city yet. But these measures by Manhattan Beach are an example of a city doubling down on their efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 as people are still getting infected and dying.

The city has issued 150 citations related to social distancing so far, but only 21 in the last week, which indicates their zero-tolerance policy is working. It is something Mayor Richard Montgomery says is necessary in these times.

"We're going to protect the city and the residents no matter what you like about it. I know it's unfortunate, but bear with us," said Mayor Montgomery.

 

 

 

And even though the caution tape wasn't around Polliwog Park April 5, signs indicating the park was closed meant cutting through wasn't allowed.

In an abbreviated statement by the city they say:

All of our parks have signage that says “closed.” That means the entire park is closed to everyone.

Overall the mayor says 95 percent of the population is abiding by the law, but as far as the heightened restrictions, he would rather be proactive to protect his residents than reactive when it could be too late.

 

 

 

"In some people's minds they may think that we, the city is overreacting, by putting all these restrictions in place, but at the very end of the time then judge me how we did," said Mayor Montgomery. 

And for Nishimura and Miller, they say had they known about the zero-tolerance policy they never would have cut through Polliwog Park and wishes the city was sympathetic to that.

"When your first notice is a citation, that's a little bit unfriendly," said Nishimura.

For both residents and the city it's a challenging battle to keep everyone safe, and make sure that everyone knows the most updated rules.