We told you last week that Maryland Governor Larry Hogan lifted restrictions across the state with a few exceptions, including continued social distance practicing and the wearing of facemasks.

Many counties balked at that idea, telling residents the stay-at-home order was still in effect indefinitely. Over the weekend, the Baltimore Police responded to over 100 calls of citizens violating the stay-at-home order.

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Many of the complaints dealt with individuals not wearing masks, congregating in large crowds

Just this weekend, Baltimore Police responded to more than 100 calls for people violating the stay at home order.

Complaints included people exercising, not wearing masks, and for large gatherings.

Here’s an example of those defying the order [Warning: Strong Langauge]:

Baltimore Police released the following statement to FOX45:

The Baltimore Police Department received approximately 128 calls for service for people violating the stay at home order. These calls included complaints for people exercising, people not wearing masks and for gatherings/crowds.

No citations were given and those calls were given a verbal code by responding officers.

An officer that observes a group of individuals in violation of the Mayor’s Executive Order must address the group verbally and practice social distancing. Additionally, officers can use their public announcement system to provide verbal commands to disperse, active emergency lights and sirens and use additional resources such as foxtrot to assist.

The Baltimore Police Department is working with all of our local partners in supporting the Mayor’s Executive Order in extending the Stay at Home directive. We encourage local residents to call 311 with any non-emergency calls related to improperly open businesses or unlawful gatherings of crowds. The department remains focused on keeping its members and the public safe and minimize the spread of COVID-19.

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After the Baltimore City and Baltimore County mayors released a statement that the counties would continue the order, Michael Harrison, Police Commissioner, said the Baltimore Police Department will respond to all calls and all complaints of non-compliance.

Harrison also added, “Members of the Baltimore police department will document the non-compliance through the use of our body-worn camera recordings, and if and when we find scenarios of non-compliance, the Baltimore Department will consult with the City’s law department to determine the appropriate violation, and take the appropriate enforcement action at the appropriate time but we are asking for voluntary compliance.”

 

 

This piece was written by Wayne Dupree on May 18, 2020. It originally appeared in WayneDupree.com and is used by permission.

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