OHIO- Police departments in Ohio will be enforcing the governor’s “stay at home” order; however, it will likely be more about education rather than punishment, as officers adapt to the new rules.
- Social distancing
- Stay at home order in place until April 6
- Educating the public
Police around Ohio have plans to enforce the state’s stay at home order.
“Sheriff’s office patrols will enforce this order. We are asking all citizens and businesses to comply with the order. If there are businesses that continue to operate after being verbally warned, the owners can be cited with a misdemeanor of the second-degree,” says sheriff Jim Neil of Hamilton County.
Until April 6, there is a statewide “stay at home” order, and police will be out looking to educate members of the public about the governor’s mandate.
The order still permits essential businesses to stay open and for people to be outside to get a little exercise and to pick up crucial supplies like groceries or prescription medicines.
Police departments around Ohio are hoping people will listen to the governor’s order and stay home.
“When it comes to enforcement, it’s common sense we are going to be practicing and utilizing the least restrictive intervention. It’s good old fashioned law enforcement where you are maintaining the peace you are dispersing crowds you are educating the people” says sheriff Jim Neil of Hamilton County
And in Dayton, Ohio, their police chief tweeted, “we’re looking for voluntary compliance to the order….egregious or repeat violations could result in a summons to court.”
In Elyria, their Safety Service Director Derek Feuerstein told us how the city’s police force is providing soft enforcement of the governor’s order.
“If we get repeat offenders that disobey the law, then we’ll turn to a citation if we have to, but we are not in the business of citing people. We don’t arrest anyone under this, but if the public doesn’t respond in the right way in helping to flatten the curve of covid-19 then we will step up enforcement” says Derek Feuerstein, Elyria’s Safety Service Director.
Police departments across the state will continue to educate the public about the stay at home guidelines and benefits of social distancing while they patrol your neighborhoods.